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Sun, 04 June 2017
India destroy Pakistan in Champions Trophy opener

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23:32   India destroy Pakistan in Champions Trophy opener


Pak 164-all out (33.4 ovs); D/L Target: 289 in 41 ovs | Scorecard


India thrash Pakistan by 124 runs via the Duckworth-Lewis method as the defending champions make a smashing start to their campaign in the ICC Champions Trophy.

The Indian bowlers all fired in unison with Umesh claiming three wickets, while Pandya and Jadeja picked up two wickets each and Bhuvneshwar got one.

Chasing a revised target of 289 in 41 overs, Pakistan never challenged with the bat as they were bowled out for 164 in 33.4 overs.

India's next match is against Sri Lanka on Thursday, June 8.
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23:27   India thrash Pakistan in opening match


Pak 164-9 (33.4 ovs); D/L Target: 289 in 41 ovs | Scorecard


Jadeja and Pandya running through the Pakistan middle order with both claiming two wickets apiece.

Jadeja nearly gets another one as left-hander Amir makes room but fails to connect with the ball passing close to the stumps.

Both Jadeja and Pandya have identical figures of two for 43 in eight overs.

Umesh is unlucky not to bag a wicket as Jadhav puts down the simplest of catches on the field. Shadab gets a big fat top edge trying to swing it on the leg side which spoons high on the off-side and Jadhav despite having all the time in the world drops the easy offering.

And all the Indian fielders are in complete disbelief at the dropped catch. Very rarely do international players put down such easy chances.

Bumrah comes in from the other end as India go for the kill and look to finish off Pakistanis as soon as possible.

Bumrah bowls a quick bouncer which Shadab somehow swats to fine leg and takes a quick single despite the direct hit.

Umesh ends Amir's innings as he has the left-hander caught in the covers for 14 and this time Jadhav holds on to the catch.

Two balls later, Umesh strikes again as Hasan Ali hits a short ball directed at his body straight to the fielder at midwicket to fall for a duck.

Wahab Riaz is unable to bat because of injury which means that India have completed an easy victory in their opening match.
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23:13   Captain Sarfraz falls for 15, Pakistan 7 down


Pak 151-7 (30 ovs); D/L Target: 289 in 41 ovs | Scorecard


Pakistan are falling apart here. Imad Wasim plays an uppish drive but is caught in the covers for a first-ball duck to give Pandya his first wicket of the innings.

Jadeja bowls four dot balls in a row to new batsman Shadab Khan, who heaves the fifth ball over midwicket for a six and hits the last ball through the same region for a four.

Pandey ends whatsoever hopes Pakistan might have had with the wicket of Sarfraz. The Pakistan captain looks to run it down to thirdman but gets an edge and is caught behind by Dhoni for 15.

Pakistan in total disarray on 151 for seven in 30 overs, needing another 137 runs from 11 overs for victory.
23:01   Hafeez perishes for 33, India in control


Pak 134-5 (27 ovs); D/L Target: 289 in 41 ovs | Scorecard


Captain Sarfraz Ahmed shows his intent as he paddle sweeps Jadeja's second ball fine on the leg side for a four.

But Jadeja makes a good comeback conceding just two singles from the rest of the over.

Pandya comes back as Hafeez turns the first ball on the leg side for a couple and then picks another two runs to thirdman despite a slight hesitation as eight come from the over.

Jadeja leaves Pakistan in further strife with the wicket of Hafeez for 33, who attempts the slog sweep but is caught at deep midwicket.

Jadeja has been wonderful with the ball, claiming two for 31 in six overs, while also running out the experienced Malik with a brilliant direct hit.
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22:49   Malik run out for 15, Pakistan in trouble


Pak 117-4 (24 ovs); D/L Target: 289 in 41 ovs | Scorecard


The experienced Shoaib Malik has come out with a positive intent. He drives a wide full delivery from Pandya through the covers for a four and then glances the next ball fine on the leg side for another boundary.

A single brings up Pakistan's 100, in the 22nd over before Hafeez keeps strike with one from the last ball.

Pakistan's batsmen decide to target Jadeja. Hafeez comes down the track and plays the inside out lofted shot for a four before Malik smashes it back over the bowler's head for a six as he races to 15 from seven balls.

But Pakistan suffer a big blow as they lose the crucial wicket of Malik. He taps Umesh to point and sets off for a run but is sent back, however Jadeja catches him short with a direct hit.

Malik walks back after scoring 15 from nine balls to leave Pakistan in trouble on 114 for four in the 24th over.
22:30   Azhar dismissed for 50, Pakistan 3 down


Pak 91-3 (21 ovs); D/L Target: 289 in 41 ovs | Scorecard


The pressure finally pays off as Azhar looks to slog sweep but holes out to Pandya at deep square leg to perish for 50.

Jadeja and Pandya were bowling well in tandem to build up the pressure with some tight overs.

Azhar had slowed down considerably after a brisk start and tried to hit his way out of trouble but paid the price.
22:28   Bowlers put India in control as Pakistan struggle


Pak 88-2 (20 ovs); D/L Target: 289 in 41 ovs | Scorecard


India's fielding is going from bad to worse. Azhar looks to ramp Pandya's short ball but gets it square as Yuvraj on the thirdman fence is unable to stop it and gives away a four. Captain Kohli is visibly annoyed with India's lacklustre fielding standards.

India introduce spin as Ravindra Jadeja comes into the attack. He makes a tidy start, giving away just three singles in his first over and Pandya does well to concede the same number of the runs in the next over.

Jadeja drops short as Hafeez pulls it square on the leg side for a four and two balls later Azhar survives a close shout for leg before wicket as he looks to play the sweep.

Umesh bowls a superb over, keeping Hafeez glued to the crease with well directed short of length deliveries before he takes a single off the last ball.

Pakistan are 88 for two in 20 overs, needing 201 from 21 overs for victory at 9.5 per over.
22:09  


Pak 67-2 (15 ovs); D/L Target: 289 in 41 ovs | Scorecard


Just like Pakistan, India's fielding has also been shoddy and the nightmare continues.

Hardik Pandya is unlucky not to get a wicket in his very first over. Azhar comes down the track and looks to loft him down the ground but fails to make proper connection. Bhuvneshwar rushes in from long-on but is unable to hold on to a simple catch to give Azhar (38) a lifeline.

A good start from Hardik, as he concedes just three runs and is unlucky not to get a wicket.

Umesh bowls a quick outswinger as Azhar throws his bat but is beaten before he takes a single off the third ball.

Hafeez drives the fifth ball through the covers for a couple as Pakistan reach 67 for two in 15 overs, needing another 222 runs from 26 overs for victory at an asking rate of 8.5.
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22:03   Umesh dismisses Azam, Pakistan 2 down


Pak 61-2 (13 ovs); D/L Target: 289 in 41 ovs | Scorecard


Umesh comes back, taking over from Bhuvneshwar, who bowled an excellent first spell of one for 23 in five overs.

He makes a good comeback, sending down a maiden to new batsman Babar Azam.

Umesh strikes in his fourth over with the wicket of Azam, who hits it straight to Jadeja at point to be dismissed for eight.

He had got a boundary off the previous delivery, cutting it past point as Jadhav messed up on the thirdman fence.

Azam tried the shot again but this time he hit it uppishly straight to the fielder at point.

The experienced Mohammad Hafeez defends the remaining four deliveries to end a good over from Umesh.
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21:45   Bhuvneshwar strikes, Pakistan lose 1st wicket


Pak 51-1 (10 ovs); D/L Target: 289 in 41 ovs | Scorecard


Azhar steers Bhuvneshwar to thirdman for two runs and then takes a single before he plays a nice straight drive for a four.

But Bhuvi makes the breakthrough with the wicket of Shehzad, who is trapped leg before wicket for 12.

The right-hander shuffled across his stumps and looked to turn it on the leg side but missed and was struck in front of the stumps.

Bumrah struggling with his length. He attempts the short ball as Azhar rocks back and ramps it fine on the off-side for a four.

Bumrah then bowls it up and looks for change in pace to keep the batsmen guessing as he manages to make a good comeback with five dot balls in a row.

Pakistan are 51 for one in 10 overs, needing 238 runs in 31 overs for victory.
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21:39   Pak off to a good start, D/L target: 289 in 41 ovs


Pak 38-0 (8 ovs); D/L Target: 289 in 41 ovs | Scorecard


The match resumes as Bhuvneshwar bowls a dot ball to Azhar to complete the fifth over.

Jasprit Bumrah comes on from the other end, replacing Umesh, who bowled two overs for 12 runs.

Shehzad takes a single from the second ball before Azhar plays three dot balls in a row and then cuts the last ball past point for a four.

The sun is out in full force in Birmingham and Pakistan's openers looking to break free and get a few boundaries and get their innings going.

Five runs from four balls before Azhar comes down the track but Bhuvneshwar bowls a beautiful outswinger to beat the batsman all ends up.

Bumrah bowls three dot balls in a row before Shehzad takes a single and Azhar lofts the fifth ball over mid-on for a four.

Azhar gets a lifeline off the last ball as he looks for a risky single to the covers but Pandya is unable to get a direct hit. Infact, the batsman had collided with the bowler and Pandya had enough time to take his time and get a direct hit but he failed to do so.
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21:20   Play to resume at 2125 IST, Revised target: 289 in 41 ovs


Pak 22-0 (4.5 ovs); D/L Target: 289 in 41 ovs | Scorecard


The latest from Birmingham is that play will resume at 2125 IST and the revised target for Pakistan is 289 in 41 overs.

Stay tuned, we should get going pretty soon!
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21:14  
While the rain continues to play spoilsport in Birmingham, we take a look at some revised targets.

As per the Duckworth-Lewis calculation, if Pakistan's innings is reduced to 30 overs, then their target will be 229.

Incase, it is reduced further to 20 overs, then Pakistan's revised target would be 173.

20:52   Pak 22-0 in 4.5 ovs before rain halts play again


Pak 22-0 (4.5 ovs); D/L Target: 324 in 48 ovs | Scorecard


Bhuvneshwar bowls on the pads as Azhar flicks him square on the leg side for three runs with Jasprit Bumrah making a good stop on the ropes.

Umesh bowls a beauty to Azhar in the next over, in the channel outside the off-stump, getting enough movement to beat the outside edge.

Azhar has a wild swing as he looks to heave Umesh over midwicket but fails to make connection. The last ball is short and this time Azhar manages to pull it square for a four.
20:43  


Pak 10-0 (2 ovs); D/L Target: 324 in 48 ovs | Scorecard


We are back with Pakistan's innings as they chase a huge 324 for victory in 48 overs.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar opens the bowling for India as he starts with a leg side wide to Azhar Ali and then bowls another wide outside the off-stump after two dot balls.

Azhar flicks the fourth ball through midwicket as four runs come from the first over.

Umesh Yadav to bowl the second over. Ahmed Shehzad defends the first ball before he slashes the second ball past point for a four before he takes a single and Azhar gets one from the last ball.



20:27   Revised target for Pakistan in 324 in 48 overs


India 319-3 (48/48 ovs) vs Pak | Scorecard


The target for Pakistan has been revised as per the Duckworth-Lewis calculation and they will require 324 for victory in 48 overs.
20:27   Revised target for Pakistan in 324 in 48 overs


India 319-3 (48/48 ovs) vs Pak | Scorecard


The target for Pakistan has been revised as per the Duckworth-Lewis calculation and they will require 324 for victory in 48 overs.
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20:08   Kohli, Pandya's attack powers India to 319


India 319-3 (48/48 ovs) vs Pak | Scorecard


Stunning late assault from the Indian batsmen as they hammer 77 runs from the last five overs to run with a huge total, which should prove enough considering the bowling attack they possess.

Kohli cut loose at the end, hammering 81 from 68 balls, including six fours and three sixes.

Pandya hit three sixes in the final over bowled by Imad, which went for 23 runs, to finish unbeaten 20 from six balls.

Rohit top-scored with a superb innings of 91 from 119 balls, while Dhawan made 68 as the openers laid the foundation with an opening stand of 136 runs.

Yuvraj started the attack as he slammed 53 from 32 balls as Pakistan struggled to contain the flow of boundaries at the end.
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20:03   Kohli, Pandya's attack powers India to 319


India 319-3 (48/48 ovs) vs Pak | Scorecard


Left-arm spinner Imad to bowl the final over. Hardik wasting no time as he clobbers the first ball over long-off for a six and take India past the 300-run mark, in the final over.

The next ball is again smashed over the same region for another six before he heaves the third ball over midwicket to make it a hat-trick of sixes.

He swings again at the next ball but misses and the Pakistanis appeal for LBW which is turned down and they decide to take the DRS.

The decision stays with the umpire's call as the ball is clipping the top of the bails and Hardik survives.

Hardik lofts the fifth ball but can't get the distance for a single to long-off for one and Kohli smashes the last ball through the covers for a four.
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19:56   Yuvraj out for 53, India lose 3rd wicket


India 296-3 (47/48 ovs) vs Pak | Scorecard


Wahab has conceded 87 runs from 8.4 overs to register the most expensive figures in the history of the ICC Champions Trophy.

Hasan bowls a good yorker which Yuvraj plays all over but misses and is struck on the pads. The umpire rules it not out but the Pakistan team decide to take the DRS and the ball tracker confirms that Yuvraj was struck in line and is ruled out.

Yuvraj walks back after a superb innings of 53 from 32 balls, hitting eight fours and a six.

Hardik Pandya walks in ahead of Mahendra Singh Dhoni as he gets off the mark with a single.

Kohli smashes the next ball in grand style through the covers for a four. The India captain slices the next ball over the off-side and it carries all the way for a six.
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19:51   Kohli, Yuvraj slam 50s;, India eye huge score


India 285-2 (46/48 ovs) vs Pak | Scorecard


Kohli struggling with his timing as he gets another single off Hasan's first ball. He bowls a full toss as Yuvraj merely times it straight down the ground, beating the fielder at long-on, for a boundary.

Hasan bowls a wide yorker as Yuvraj digs out on the off-side for one.

Kohli finally breaks the shackles as he clubs a slower ball from Hasan over long-on for a six to complete his fifty in style, from 58 balls.

Yuvraj lofts the last ball over midwicket for a four as Hasan goes for 17 in the over with India reaching 264 for two in 45 overs.

Wahab has been really poor with the ball today. He oversteps while bowling a wide full toss which Kohli to ends to thirdman for a four. The free hit delivery is lofted over midwicket for a four to make it eight from one delivery.

Kohli has changed gears so quickly. Wahab makes the error of bowling a length ball which the India captain hammers over long-on for a six.

Yuvraj top edges the pull shot for a four over short fine leg to race to his fifty from 29 balls before he gets a single to thirdman.

Now, Wahab is down with some injury as the physio is summoned out again.

What a turnaround from India as they hammer 38 from the last 11 balls to take control of proceedings.

Kohli was on 43 from 55 balls when he was dropped off Wahab and he has made Pakistan pay for that lapse big time, hammering hitting 22 runs from the next eight balls.

Now Wahab walks off into the dressing room with injury as Imad completes the over with a dot ball with Kohli leaving the last ball, hoping it was a wide but it was not.

India are 285 for two in 46 overs with 38 coming from the last two overs.
19:38  


India 247-2 (44/48 ovs) vs Pak | Scorecard


Yuvraj continues his attacking approach as he smashes a full delivery from Hasan straight down the ground for a four.

Two balls later he drops short as Yuvraj pulls it over the square leg fence for a six to race to 37 from 23 balls.

Amir is struggling with some injury in his calf muscle and is getting some attention from the physio.

He bowls just one delivery of the 44th over before he has to go back into the dressing room after struggling with some discomfort in his legs.

Wahab takes over from Amir. He starts with a short ball as Yuvraj pulls it but fails to make proper connection for a single to deep midwicket.

Kohli drives the next ball to long-on for on before Wahab cleverly disguises the slower ball as Yuvraj manages to turn it on the leg side at the last minute for one.

Kohli whips the fifth ball but can't beat the fielder at midwicket. The last ball is short as Kohli (43) top edges the pull but the substitute fielder rushing in from deep midwicket puts down the catch.
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19:27   Yuvraj's attack lifts India


India 230-2 (42/48 ovs) vs Pak | Scorecard


Kohli looks keen to break free, he has hit just two boundaries in 46 balls, but has kept the scoreboard moving with ones and twos to score 38.

Meanwhile, Yuvraj is looking keen to dominate the bowlers. Hasan bowls a good yorker which takes the inside edge and beats the wicketkeeper for a four as nine come from the over.

Amir, who has three overs in hand, comes back. While Kohli is content to take the singles, Yuvraj continues to deal in boundaries. Amir attempts the slower bouncer as Kohli pulls it confidently through midwicket for a four as eight come from the over.

Yuvraj is providing some much-needed impetus, hitting 26 from 19 balls, while Kohli has made 41 from 50 balls.
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19:19   India eye huge score in Birmingham


India 213-2 (40/48 ovs) vs Pak | Scorecard


Wahab continues to leak runs. Three singles from four balls before Yuvraj punches a half-volley through midwicket for a four to take India past the 200-run mark, in the 38th over.

The last ball is short as Yuvraj pulls it on the leg side for a single.

Shadab to bowl his final over. Yuvraj defends the first ball before he drives the next through the covers for a single and Kohli punches it to long-on for one.

Yuvraj comes down and looks to loft the leggie down the ground but miscues it to Hasan at long-off who puts down a straightforward catch.

Pakistan have been poor on the field today and to drop someone like Yuvraj could come back to haunt them big time.

In the next over, Yuvraj hammers a slower ball from Wahab through the covers for a four to take India to 213 for two after 40 overs.
19:05   Rohit run out for 91, India lose 2nd wicket


India 194-2 (37/48 ovs) vs Pak | Scorecard


This is very close. Rohit responds to a call for a quick single by his captain Kohli, who taps it on the off-side and sets off directly.

Rohit has dived full length to make his crease but his bat is in the air and he is unfortunately run out for 91.

Babar did well to send a flat throw just above the stumps which proves crucial in the final analysis.

New batsman Yuvraj Singh gets off the mark with a single to long-on and Kohli takes strike with one from the last ball.
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18:59   Rohit, Kohli drive India forward in middle overs


India 189-1 (36/48 ovs) vs Pak | Scorecard


Young leg-spinner Shadab comes back. He starts with two dot balls before Kohli pulls a short ball to deep square leg for a couple.

Just two of the over as Pakistan look to continue their good work before the break.

India will need to take a risk or two, having made just three runs from 11 balls after the resumption.

Wahab Riaz comes back and he continues to go for runs as Rohit breaks the shackles.

He drives the fourth ball stylish through the covers for a four and the next ball which is short is pulled over square leg for a six and keeps strike with a single from the last ball.
18:52   Rohit, Kohli drive India forward in middle overs


India 174-1 (34 ovs) vs Pak | Scorecard


Amir to finish off the over as he resumes proceedings after the rain interval. The first ball is short and moves away as Kohli steers it to thirdman for one.

Rohit plays four dot balls in a row to continue his slow run in the last few overs. He has managed just three runs from the last 18 balls.
18:47  
The weather has improved again as the covers are being taken off and the light is also improving.

The play will begin in the next few minutes as the Pakistan fielders and the Indian batsmen walks out to the middle.

We have lost another over, as the match has been reduced to 48-overs-a-side.
18:39   India well placed on 173-1 before rain stops play again
Hold on! Just when we thought play was about to resume, it has started raining again which means the resumption of play has been pushed back again.

We will start losing overs from now. The match has already been reduced to 49 overs-a-side after the last delay and India will lose more overs if the delay continues.
18:30   India vs Pak match set to resume at 1840 IST
The covers are coming off and play is scheduled to resume at 1410 local time which is 1840 IST.

The match has been reduced to 49-overs-a-side following the two rain delays.
18:15   India well placed on 173-1 at rain stops play again


India 173-1 (33.1 ovs) vs Pak | Scorecard


The Indians slowed quite a bit in the last few overs before rain stopped play.

The break would help Rohit get some rest, he struggled in the last 15-20 mins scoring just three runs from the last 14 balls he has faced.

However, he is looking to bat as long as possible, scoring 77 from 108 balls, having hit six fours and a six.

Kohli has been busy right from the start, scoring 24 from 27 balls, putting on 37 runs from 52 balls for the second wicket with Rohit.

India will regroup in the dressing room during the interval and plan how they bat in the remaining 16 overs. With nine wickets in hand, they could look to be a bit more aggressive and play a few more shots to put the pressure on the Pakistan bowling attack.
18:04   India well placed on 173-1 at rain stops play again


India 173-1 (33.1 ovs) vs Pak | Scorecard


Pacer Hasan comes back and he bowls a tidy over, giving away just a single as just two come from the last two overs as Pakistan's pacers dry up the runs temporarily.

Kohli breaks the shackles as he cuts a short wide delivery from Amir over point for a four with India reaching 171 for one in 32 overs.

Hasan bowls a quick bouncer as Kohli looks to pull but is beaten before he tucks the last ball off his hips on the leg side for one.

The heavens open up again as the players rush off the field yet again with India on 173 for one in 33.1 overs.
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17:47   Rohit, Kohli drive India forward in middle overs


India 162-1 (30 ovs) vs Pak | Scorecard


Imad, who opened the bowling, comes back for a second spell. He makes a good start in his second spell, giving away just three singles as Pakistan look to use the spinners to keep things tight in the middle overs.

Kohli gets into the act rightaway, looking to milk the spinners with ones and twos and Rohit doing the same from the other end to keep the runs coming at a good rate.

Kohli gets his first boundary as he steers Imad very late, fine on the off-side for a four as 10 come from the 28th over.

With Kohli growing in confidence and Rohit looking set for a big stint, Pakistan bring back strike bowler Amir.

He makes a good comeback, giving away just a single as India reach 162 for one in 30 overs with Rohit on 74 from 98 balls and Kohli on 16 from 18 balls.
17:29   Dhawan out for 68, India lose 1st wicket


India 138-1 (25 ovs) vs Pak | Scorecard


The Indian openers take a firm grip of the proceedings. Dhawan goes after the young leg-spinner, as he comes down the track and lofts him over midwicket for his first six before he takes one.

Rohit does well to pick another single as India smash 29 runs from the last 10 balls to take control.

Shadab goes for 10 run in his third over with India's openers hitting 33 from the last three.

A desperate Pakistan bring the experienced part-time spinner Shoaib Malik into the attack to stem the flow of runs and if possible make the breakthrough.

Brilliant running between the wickets as Dhawan taps Malik to short fine leg and is called by his partner for a quick single.

Three more runs as Malik gives away just four runs in his first over.

After being taken for runs in his previous two overs, Shadab makes a good comeback, giving away just four runs in his fourth over.

Malik looking to fire it on the stumps and not give the batsmen anything to work with. He misses his radar as Dhawan sweeps the fifth ball fine on the leg side for a four to get six from the over.

Dhawan chips down the track to the young leggie Shadab but only manages to hit a full toss straight into the hands of the fielder at deep midwicket.

Dhawan walks back after a fine innings of 68 from 65 balls, hitting six fours and a six. He laid a solid platform for his team, putting on 136 runs for the opening wicket with Rohit, who is batting on 64.

Captain Virat Kohli gets off the mark with a single and Rohit does the same off the last ball.

At the halfway stage, India are well placed on 138 for one in 25 overs.
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17:11   Rohit, Dhawan hit 50s; India in control


India 110-0 (20 ovs) vs Pak | Scorecard


Dhawan takes a cue from Rohit and cuts loose against Wahab, hitting him for a hat-trick of fours, in the 20th over.

Dhawan does well to slash a short wide delivery from Wahab fine on the off-side for a four. The next ball is full but down the leg side as Dhawan this time clips it fine on the leg side for another boundary as India go past the 100-run mark, in the 20th over.

Dhawan makes it three fours in a row, cutting another short ball over point in some style.

He taps the fifth ball on the off-side as the fielder fumbles to give away two runs which sees Dhawan race to his fifty, from 48 balls.

India in control on 110 for no loss in 20 overs.
17:06   Rohit hits half-century, India off to a good start


India 95-0 (19 ovs) vs Pak | Scorecard


The openers lift the ante as Rohit and Dhawan hit Wahab for a boundary each to get 13 from the 16th over.

After three singles from the first three balls, Rohit smashes Wahab over the extra cover region for a four. He steers the fifth ball fine past the fielder at first slip for a single as Hasan does well on the thirdman fence.

Dhawan cuts the last ball over the point region for the second boundary of the over as Wahb goes for plenty in his second over.

Leg-spinner Shadab Khan comes into the attack in place of Hasan, who bowled a steady first spell of four overs for 18 runs.

The Indian batsmen doing well to get five runs from his over without much of a fuss to keep the scoreboard moving.

Wahab looks to squeeze the pressure with a tidy over, giving away three runs as Pakistan look to dry up the boundaries and build some pressure in the middle overs.

Rohit looks to break the shackles as he looks to slog sweep Shadab but gets a top edge which falls safely on the leg side for two runs.

The fifth ball is short and this time Rohit has enough time to pull it over midwicket for a six to bring up his half-century in grand style, from 71 balls.
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16:52   Openers Rohit, Dhawan give India a good start


India 66-0 (15 ovs) vs Pak | Scorecard


A long first spell for Imad as he continues, bowling his sixth over on the trot. He has hardly made an impression, while going for over five runs per over.

Dhawan guides a wide delivery from pacer Hasan past point for a couple before he takes a leg bye. Hasan tries a short ball as Rohit does well to avoid it and then picks a single on the leg side before Dhawan also lets alone a quick bouncer.

Left-arm pacer Wahab Riaz comes into the attack, in place of Imad, who bowled six overs for 30 runs in his first spell.

He beats Rohit with a quick delivery which is slightly short and slant across the right-hander, who slashes but fails to make connection.

He crashes through the off-side but the fielder at deep point does well to keep it down to a single as three come from the over.

Good running between the wickets as Rohit turns Hasan on the leg side with soft hands and comes back for a quick second.

India are well placed on 66 for no loss in 15 overs with both openers looking well settled. Rohit has looked quite comfortable, scoring 36 from 55 balls, while Dhawan has taken his time to make 27 from 36 balls.
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16:35   Openers Rohit, Dhawan give India a good start


India 52-0 (11 ovs) vs Pak | Scorecard


The good news for the fans is that no overs have been lost despite around 45 minutes lost due to rain.

Rohit defends the first ball, bowled by Imad, after the resumption on the off-side as India reach 46 for no loss in 10 overs.

Hasan oversteps to give away a no-ball and the resultant free hit delivery is slammed over long-on for a four by Rohit to take India past the 50-run mark, in the 11th over.
16:29   Play resumes in Birmingham after rain delay
The match finally gets underway after a delay of around 45 minutes as the Indian openers stride out to the middle with the Pakistan players in the huddle.
16:22  
The rain has stopped and the covers are coming off with the umpires announcing that the match will resume in under 10 minutes.

Stay tuned.
15:40   India off to a confident start before rain stops play


India 46-0 (9.5 ovs) vs Pak | Scorecard


Two singles before Dhawan slaps spinner Imad through point for a couple of runs as the fielder is slow to react and get down to the ball.

A close shave for Rohit as he hesitates before reacting to the call for a quick single by Dhawan to mid-off but the right-hander is able to make his ground in time.

Pacer Hasan Ali comes into the attack after four overs from Amir in his first spell in which he conceded just 14 runs.

A single to Dhawan off the third ball before Rohit punches the fourth ball square for a boundary through point. He has an ugly swipe on the leg side, looking to hit the pacer across the line but is beaten.

Dhawan has had enough of defending against spinner Imad as he slog sweeps the first ball over midwicket for a four. He gets three runs off the next ball, including two off the overthrow as the fielder backing up is too slow to react.

Rohit looks for a wild lofted shot on the leg side but only manages to get it off the inside half of the bat for a single to deep square leg and Dhawan picks one on the leg side.
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15:30   Openers Rohit, Dhawan give India a good start


India 27-0 (7 ovs) vs Pak | Scorecard


Amir tries a short ball but Rohit is quick to rock back and pull it over the fielder at short fine leg for the first boundary of the Indian innings, in the fifth over.

He taps the next ball on the leg side for one before Dhawan gets an inside edge to fine leg as he goes for the big cover drive for another single.

Rohit slowly but steadily opening up, getting his rhythm back. He plays another cracking drive through the covers for a boundary followed by a single to take the score to 21 after six overs.

Rohit has a close shave as he looks to run Amir down to thirdman, gets a thick outside edge which beats the diving first slip fielder for another four. Wonder why Pakistan don't have a second slip, especially against Amir, who has bowled well against Rohit early on.
15:18   India off to a slow start against Pakistan


India 9-0 (4 ovs) vs Pak | Scorecard


Surprise move from Pakistan as left-arm spinner Imad Wasim opens the bowling from the other end.

Shikhar Dhawan taps the first ball to point who is unable to stop it and gives away a couple before the left-arm spinners bowls a leg side wide.

Dhawan defends the rest of the over as just three come from the second over.

Rohit finally gets Amir away as he plays a nice drive through the covers and rushes back for the second run.

Once again a good over from Amir as he concedes just two runs, as Rohit manages just one scoring shot in the two overs he has faced.

India's openers are content to see off the new ball, especially Amir as they manage just five runs from the first three overs.

Imad continues as Dhawan and Rohit drive it down to long-on for successive singles. Another couple of singles as India reach nine from four overs, without a single boundary so far.
15:06  


India 0-0 (1 ov) vs Pak | Scorecard


Left-arm pacer Mohammad Amir opens the bowling for Pakistan. The first ball is full and swings as Rohit Sharma is beaten as he attempts a tentative poke from the crease and the same with the second ball as the opener is beaten again.

Two balls later, Amir beats Rohit again with the one that is pitched right up and moves enough to go past the edge.

However, Rohit manages to see off the last two balls to survive a testing first over.
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14:43   Pakistan elect to bowl; India leave out Ashwin, Shami
India are playing five bowlers in their playing eleven with Hardik Pandya coming in as the all-rounder, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja are the specialist four bowlers.

Interestingly, India have left out their No. 1 spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, while Mohammed Shami also fails to make the cut.

Check out India's playing eleven:

Virat Kohli (captain), Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Yuvraj Singh, Mahendra Singh Dhoni (w/k), Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah.

Pakistan:
Sarfraz Ahmed (captain, w/k), Azhar Ali, Ahmed Shehzad, Mohammad Hafeez, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz, Hasan Ali.
14:33   Pakistan win toss, elect to bowl vs India
Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed has won the toss and elected to bowl against India in the ICC Champions Trophy in Birmingham, on Sunday.


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14:26  
Welcome to the coverage of the high-profile clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan in the ICC Champions Trophy in Birmingham, on Sunday.

Defending champions India will be aiming to shut out off-field controversies when they lock horns with arch-rivals Pakistan in their opening match of the tournament.

One of the finest fast bowlers in current times, Mohammed Amir would be pitted against the talismanic Virat Kohli in what could turn out to be a battle primarily between India's vaunted batting line-up and against Pakistan's potent bowling attack.

A line-up that boasts Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Yuvraj Singh and Mahendra Singh Dhoni can be intimidating for any bowling attack.

For India, the bone of contention will be their bowling combination, with all-rounder Hardik Pandya being the balancing factor.

Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar are certainties. Umesh Yadav has more zip in his bowling after a successful Test season but Mohammed Shami has a variety of skill in his repertoire to trouble the best batsmen.

With Pakistan's top-order full of right-handers, Ravichandran Ashwin will have a tough fight making it into the team in place of Ravindra Jadeja.

Like it or not, an Indo-Pak match is a bit different from other cricketing rivalries purely due to its socio-political significance.

The current cross-border tension between the South Asian neighbours also adds to the historical rivalry in which India have come up trumps more often than not in ICC competitions.

The unsavoury controversy related to his speculated rift with chief coach Anil Kumble couldn't have happened at a more inappropriate time -- just when India were going into an important ICC event.

While Champions Trophy is one ICC event where Pakistan enjoy a 2-1 head-to-head record against India but on paper, Kohli's men are far superior in each and every department of the game.

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