India defeats Pakistan in important world cup match

They were too powerful, too ruthless and too composed for Pakistan, beating them by 89 runs in another one-sided rain-hit contest at a tournament crying out for a close game and a sunny day.

India were so steely and focused against Pakistan that this could have been any old, one-day international rather than one of the world’s great sporting contests.

Rohit Sharma’s 140 off 113 balls propelled India to the kind of total that wins matches at this World Cup, while the new-ball skills of Jasprit Bumrah, and the flight and mystery of Kuldeep Yadav, were too much for an overwhelmed Pakistan team.

Only two of the Pakistan side: Mohammad Amir and Babar Azam, – would realistically have a chance of breaking into a combined XI. Whereas Pakistan looked like a side burdened by carrying the hopes of a nation, India welcomed it.