THE PRESSURE was mounting on both sides when Pakistan came to batting in the second half of the World Cup semi-final against India to chase a not so huge great target of 261runs. Since, their bowling had been good, they didn’t allow India to set a high target.
Kamran Akmal and Mohammad Hafeez came to open for Pakistan. But, in the ninth over, Akmal was sent to the pavilion by Zaheer Khan. Since then wickets kept falling within every couple of overs, Pakistan could not get partnerships. Hafeez scored well but was dismissed after making 43 runs. Asad Shafiq scored a decent 30 on 39. By then, it was evident that the Pakistani team was going way behind the average run rate required. But, somehow they managed to keep the momentum and score with a run rate of 4.6 runs.
The momentum broke when Yuvraj took the third and fourth wickets within three overs. Later, Umar Akmal managed to increase run rate by scoring 29 runs in 24 balls. His batting brought Pakistan back into the game but then Harbhajan Singh drowned the hopes of Pakistan making it to the finals. Even Afridi couldn’t surprise the crowd and went back to the pavilion with 19 in 17 balls. But the Pakistani team fought till the end and went all out in 49.5 overs.
The Indian bowling was good. The trio of Zaheer , Munaf and Nehra worked for the team and for the captain. The otherwise underperformers, Munaf Patel and Ashish Nehra, managed to take two wickets each without giving away too much runs.
Yuvraj turned out to be the first spinner for India. He gave 57 runs, bowled a maiden over and took two crucial wickets at a crucial time. Harbhajan and Zaheer also took two wickets each.
The Indian fielding was good; Virat Kohli, Raina and Yuvraj did exceptionally well along with other players. India managed to get two maiden overs. Ashish Nehra gave away just 33 runs for which he shares the credit with fielders. Sachin Tendulkar appeared tense on the field since Pakistan was giving a good fight.
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