India v Pakistan
Wisden's review of the tenth ODI, India vs Pakistan
15-Apr-2014
At Birmingham, June 15. India won by eight wickets (D/L). Toss: India.
With the fate of both teams already sealed, events in the middle rarely matched the excitement in the stands. Rain forced four interruptions, and seemed more likely than an out-of-form Pakistan to end India's 100% record, but the group winners eventually reached their adjusted target of 102 from 22 overs with 17 balls to spare. Indian supporters outnumbered their counterparts by roughly four to one, and their cheers when Dhoni won the toss reflected its importance. For the third game in a row, Pakistan fell well short of 200. Their coach Dav Whatmore described the batting as "a bit naughty", although Bhuvneshwar Kumar in particular made good use of damp, overcast conditions, and there was appreciable turn for Ashwin. Pakistan had been doing reasonably until the first delay after 12 overs. But Jadeja outsmarted Misbah-ul-Haq, and an Indian review against Asad Shafiq revealed a thin edge en route to Dhoni down the leg side. Six wickets fell for 34, the last two to run-outs: one stemming from Kohli's athleticism, the other from Pakistan's confusion. Sharma and Dhawan then continued their productive opening partnership, though Dhawan's 48 from 41 balls, which ended with a misjudged cut off Wahab Riaz, felt like a failure after back-to-back hundreds.
Man of the Match: Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Attendance: 22,832.
With the fate of both teams already sealed, events in the middle rarely matched the excitement in the stands. Rain forced four interruptions, and seemed more likely than an out-of-form Pakistan to end India's 100% record, but the group winners eventually reached their adjusted target of 102 from 22 overs with 17 balls to spare. Indian supporters outnumbered their counterparts by roughly four to one, and their cheers when Dhoni won the toss reflected its importance. For the third game in a row, Pakistan fell well short of 200. Their coach Dav Whatmore described the batting as "a bit naughty", although Bhuvneshwar Kumar in particular made good use of damp, overcast conditions, and there was appreciable turn for Ashwin. Pakistan had been doing reasonably until the first delay after 12 overs. But Jadeja outsmarted Misbah-ul-Haq, and an Indian review against Asad Shafiq revealed a thin edge en route to Dhoni down the leg side. Six wickets fell for 34, the last two to run-outs: one stemming from Kohli's athleticism, the other from Pakistan's confusion. Sharma and Dhawan then continued their productive opening partnership, though Dhawan's 48 from 41 balls, which ended with a misjudged cut off Wahab Riaz, felt like a failure after back-to-back hundreds.
Man of the Match: Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Attendance: 22,832.