Praveen Kumar and Piyush Chawla four wickets each helped India to register a 140 runs record win over Pakistan. This was one of the biggest margins of defeats Pakistan faced in the history of cricket against the Indians. Chasing a target of 331 runs for victory Pakistan was bowled out in just 35.4 overs on 190 runs. This was a day which Pakistani’s players quickly want to forget it.
With this win India are almost secured their place in the Final of Kitply Cup 2008. In reply of 330 runs by the Indian, Pakistan got of to disastrous start by loosing three quick wickets for just 27 runs. Kamran Akmal (38 runs of 40 balls) and Misbah-Ul-Haq (23 runs of 25 balls) both were looking dangerous while they were on the crease but dismissal of both in quick succession gave India a bit of relief as they bowled out Pakistan for mere 190 runs.
Shoaib Mallik made 53 runs of 67 balls but it was too late for his team as he was running out of partner from other end and in the end he also perishes on the bowling of Piyush Chawla in trying to heave the ball over midwicket.
Earlier Indian captain M.S.Dhoni won the toss and elected to bat first on the Shere Bangla National Stadium pitch. His decision to bat first was well supported by his openers Virendra Sehwag (89 runs of 76 balls) and Gautam Gambhir (62 runs of 62 balls) as both went on to put a solid 155 runs partnership for the 1st wicket before Gautam Gambhir dismissed by left arm medium pacer Wahab Riaz.
All other Indian batsman capitalized well on the start given by their openers except the debutant Yusuf Pathan and Rohit Sharma. Both manage just 3 runs and 9 runs respectively. Yuvraj Singh (55 runs of 54 balls), M.S.Dhoni (24 runs of 23 balls), S.Raina (26 runs of 22 balls) and I.Pathan (18 runs of 18 balls) are other contributors, who helped their team to reach the 300 plus scores with ease with some crisp and lusty hitting at the end of 50 overs.
From Pakistan Umar Gul was most successful bowler who picked three wickets while S.Afridi and Wahab Riaz picked up two wickets each.
With this win India almost cemented their place in the final of triangular series which will be played on 14th of June. Before that India will play against Bangladesh on 12th June.
Virendra Sehwag was declared Man of the Match for his brilliant 89 runs from 76 balls.
