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PHOTOS: India maintain unbeaten World Cup run against Pakistan
India maintained their impeccable World Cup record against Pakistan after a convincing seven-wicket victory against the arch-rivals in a Group 2 Super 10 stage match of the World Twenty20 in Mirpur, on Friday.
Put in to bat, Pakistan did not get the flying start they were looking for and neither could they mount a late assault against India's disciplined bowlers who restricted them to 130-7.
In reply, Virat Kohli (36 not out) and Suresh Raina (35 not out) made useful contributions, adding 66 runs for the unbroken fourth wicket, as India chased down the modest target with nine deliveries to spare.
The victory extended India's unbeaten record against Pakistan in 20-over and 50-over World Cups and also helped avenge the defeat in the Asia Cup earlier in the month.
Earlier, pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar provided India an early breakthrough by running out Kamran Akmal in the second over.
Indiscretion on the part of his opening partner, Ahmed Shehzad, brought about Akmal’s downfall.
Shehzad called for a quick single and came halfway down the track, only to retreat. Akmal couldn't make it back to his crease before Bhuvneshwar did well to pick the ball and throw down the stumps on his follow-through.
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Captain Hafeez perished cheaply
Pakistan were reduced to 9 for 1 in the second over and could have been in deeper trouble had skipper Mohammad Hafeez (15) been caught by Yuvraj Singh when on 5.
The batsman mistimed a pull off Mohammed Shami, but a diving Yuvraj, at the deep square leg boundary, hold the catch.
But Hafeez did not last long. He gave Ravindra Jadeja the charge only to mistime the shot and offer a skier that was pouched well by Bhuvneshwar.
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Mishra, Jadeja restrict Pakistan to 130
Ahmed Shezad was outdone by a flighted delivery from Amit Mishra.
It was a classical leg-break that turned away after pitching. As the batsman was drawn out, Mahendra Singh Dhoni gleefully accepted the ball and whipped off the bails in a flash.
Mishra was India's best bowler, claiming two for 22 in four overs, while Jadeja took one for 18 in four overs as Pakistan were restricted to 130 for seven in their 20 overs.
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Rohit, Dhawan give India good start
Opener Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan were watchful at the start of the innings before cutting loose.
Just seven runs came from the first three overs before Rohit Sharma hit Junaid Khan for a four and six, and then Dhawan slammed Saeed Ajmal for three boundaries in the next over to take India to 38 for no loss in six overs.
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Yuvraj fails with the bat
India lost the way after a good start as three quick wickets fell.
Dhawan played a reckless shot against Umar Gul and was caught on the fine leg boundary for 30 (35b), while Rohit inside-edged Ajmal back on to his stumps and was bowled for 24 from 21 balls.
Yuvraj Singh failed to make it count; he was bowled by Bilawal Bhatti for 1, as India slipped to 65 for three in the 11th over.
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Raina, Kohli steer India to easy victory
Young Virat Kohli and Suresh Raina, however, played responsibly to steady the Indian innings.
The duo never let the Pakistan bowlers settle down and kept the boundaries coming at regular intervals.
India cruised to 131 for three in 18.3 overs to win by seven wickets, with nine deliveries to spare.
Kohli finished unbeaten on 36 from 32 balls, while Raina hit a sparkling 35 from 28 balls.
The duo put on an unbroken stand of 66 runs from 50 deliveries for the fourth wicket as India got off to a winning start in the tournament.