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The wait is almost over. India and Pakistan, two arch-rivals, are all set to take centrestage when the two teams face off at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium on Saturday, in Match 12 of the 2023 ODI World Cup.
World Cup 2023: News | Schedule | Results | Points table
It’s the most-anticipated World Cup clash, and looking at how both the teams have started, Saturday promises to be a thrilling affair in Ahmedabad.
India (NRR +1.500) and Pakistan (+0.927) are currently placed third and fourth in the World Cup points table, with four points each, and only the net run-rate separates the two sides at the moment.
We are here in Ahmedabad! 👋#CWC23 | #TeamIndia | #INDvPAK | #MeninBlue pic.twitter.com/dVuOaynYRN
— BCCI (@BCCI) October 12, 2023
A win for either team on Saturday will give them an edge and confidence, with more big matches coming up against top teams.
Ahead of India and Pakistan’s third game of the 2023 World Cup, let’s look back at the two matches they have played so far:
India
Beat Australia by six wickets
Five-time champions Australia were always going to be a tough hurdle to surpass for India, but they did so in some style.
After having opted to bat first, none of the Australian batters apart from David Warner (41) and Steve Smith (46) could capitalise on their starts as they were bundled out for just 199. The Indian bowlers produced a collective effort, although it was Ravindra Jadeja (3/28) who stood out.
India, however, were handed an early scare in their run-chase after they lost their top-order batters. Rohit Sharma (0), Ishan Kishan (0) and Shreyas Iyer (0) were dismissed for noughts, but Virat Kohli (85) and KL Rahul (97*) took up the challenge with both hands as they forged a 165-run stand for the fourth wicket.
A match-winning partnership followed by a warm hug 🤗
Well played, KL Rahul & Virat Kohli 👏#CWC23 | #INDvAUS | #TeamIndia | #MeninBlue pic.twitter.com/aVdbkVHekz
— BCCI (@BCCI) October 8, 2023
Kohli was dismissed by Josh Hazlewood in the 38th over, but Rahul and Hardik Pandya (11*) sealed the chase with 52 balls to spare.
Beat Afghanistan by eight wickets
Three days after getting the better of Australia, India chased down a target of 273 against Afghanistan with ease, with eight wickets and 15 overs to spare.
Afghanistan’s decision to bat first produced mixed results. After the top-order of Rahmanullah Gurbaz (21), Ibrahim Zadran (22) and Rahmat Shah (16) were dismissed before they could get going, Hashmatullah Shahidi (80) and Azmatullah Omarzai (62) revived the visitors with a 121-run stand for the fourth wicket.
Two fine performances by Bumrah and Rohit, who were well supported by the bowling and batting units respectively.
The 2 games have seen different players contributing and that sets things up nicely for the 14th of October. Look forward!#INDvAFG pic.twitter.com/EXQltgeut3
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) October 11, 2023
However, post the duo’s dismissal in the latter half of the innings, Afghanistan were eventually restricted to 272/8 from 50 overs, given that at one stage they looked set for a total of 300 or more.
In reply, Rohit Sharma (131) and Ishan Kishan (47) forged a 156-run stand for the first wicket, before Virat Kohli (55*) and Shreyas Iyer (25*) completed the match in the 35th over.
Pakistan
Beat Netherlands by 81 runs
The Netherlands were handed an 81-run thumping by Pakistan in Hyderabad, but not without a fight.
The Dutch had opted to field after winning the toss. They got off to a promising start with the ball, removing Pakistan’s top three to restrict the Men in Green to 38/3 at one stage.
However, a 120-run stand between Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel for the fourth wicket brought Pakistan back into the game, and that set the platform for them to post 286 on the board.
In reply, Netherlands opener Vikramjit Singh (52) was running out of partners after Max O’Dowd (5) and Colin Ackermann (17) were dismissed for low scores, but a 70-run stand with fellow half-centurion Bas de Leede revived Netherlands’ hopes shortly.
However, after Vikramjit’s dismissal in the 24th over, it was a gradual collapse from the Dutch as they were bowled out for 205 in 41 overs.
Beat Sri Lanka by six wickets
Abdullah Shafique (113) and Mohammad Rizwan (131) were at the forefront of Pakistan’s chase against Sri Lanka as the Men in Green won by six wickets in Hyderabad.
After Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bat, centuries from Kusal Mendis (122) and Sadeera Samarawickrama (108), and a half century from Pathum Nissanka (51) led them to 344/9.
A knock for the ages from Mohammad Rizwan 👌#PAKvSL #CWC23 pic.twitter.com/JyTTqDspNa
— ICC (@ICC) October 10, 2023
Pakistan once again lost Imam-ul-Haq (12) and Babar Azam (10) early, but a 176-run between Shafique and Rizwan set the platform for Pakistan’s victory.
After Shafique’s dismissal, Rizwan forged partnerships with Saud Shakeel and Iftikhar Ahmed to eventually guide Pakistan to victory with six wickets to spare.
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