Pakistan begin their chase well after bowling out India for 260 in the semi final match of the World Cup at Mohali. Both Kamran Akmal and Mohammad Hafeez negotiate the opening ten overs without taking many chances and are able to stay above the net required run rate.
The duo both struck boundaries in tandem to blunt India’s pace attack led by Zaheer Khan. Indian skipper has already brought in the other seamers in Munaf Patel and Ashish Nehra and despite a few close calls, the openers have largely been unfazed in playing their strokes.
India's Innings
It was a 300-plus wicket. India, however would be satisfied with the 260 runs that it managed in the crucial semi final match at Mohali. This after Pakistan’s Wahab Riaz struck terror in the middle-order to end the innings with five wickets.
Sachin Tendulkar top-scored for the hosts with 85 after Virender Sehwag gave his team an aggressive start. He looked in fine touch but was eventually removed by Riaz who found his legs in front of the stumps. Tendulkar though kept his composure and struck together a decent partnership of 60 with Gautam Gambhir.
Riaz though came back with a vengeance and despite several dropped catches of Tendulkar, he ensured no other batsman settled in to script a twist in the bowling dominated tale.
Though the average score batting first in a day and night match here is 254, Indians would need their strategy of playing an extra seamer to pay dividends once Pakistan begin their chase.
