The New Nation - Internet Edition

Sabbir Hossain

A marvellous bowling by Praveen Kumar with a good support of Piyush Chawla powered India to register a formidable 140-run victory over Pakistan in their ODI clash of the Tri-Nation Kitply Cup at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Tuesday.

Praveen Kumar cut a brilliant figure as 9-1-53-4 while Piyush Chowla finished as 8.4-0-40-4.

Chasing India’s mammoth total of 330 for the loss of eight wickets in the stipulated 50 overs, Pakistan were shot out for 190 off 35.4 overs.

Shoaib Malik, the skipper of Pakistan team, was the only notable scorer for Pakistan who hit 53 off 67 balls amid three fours and a six.

It was India’s biggest marginal victory over Pakistan so far.

Earlier, India made a brisk start as the two openers, Virendar Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir contributed 155 runs in the opening stand. Sehwag cracked the team’s highest of 89 using 76 balls. He cracked 13 fours and a six before he was caught behind by wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal when the team’s total was 174 for the loss of two wickets. Wahab Riaz removed him and earlier, Wahab Riaz dismissed Gautam Gambhir, who was caught behind by Kamran Akmal making run-a-ball 62 amid six fours.

Later, Yuvraj Singh smashed his 34th ODI half century. He fulfilled his 50 playing 49 deliveries. He sent the ball three times over the ropes and three times over the fence before he was cleanly bowled by Umer Gul when the board was giving a reading of 271 for the loss of six wickets. Yuraj hit 55 off 54 balls.

MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina and Irfan Pathan added 24, 26 and 18 runs respectively which helped India to make 330 for the loss of eight wickets in 50 overs.

Medium pacer Umer Gula was the most successful bowler for Pakistan who scalped three for 61 runs.

Spinner Shahid Afridi and Wahab Riaz bagged a couple of wickets conceding 52 and 86 runs respectively.

Besides, pacer Sohail Tanvir took one wicket in the space of 57 runs.

It may be mentioned that India scored the highest total in this ground not only against Pakistan but also against any team.