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| March 18, 2007 | Sunday | Safar 28, 1428 |
Pakistan, India in deep trouble
BRIDGETOWN, March 17: Asian superpowers India and Pakistan were in desperate trouble at the World Cup on Saturday. Pakistan slumped to 72-6 after 21 overs against the part-timers of Ireland at Kingston while India made some sort of recovery to reach 159-8 in the 45th over after being 72-4 against Bangladesh in Port-of- Spain.
Pakistan, who lost their opening match of the tournament to the West Indies, were put into bat by Ireland skipper Trent Johnston and saw opener Mohammad Hafeez dismissed off the final ball of the first over for four.
Vice-captain Younis Khan was then caught by Andre Botha off Boyd Rankin for nought in the fourth over.
The Irish went delirious when Johnston got the prized of Mohammad Yousuf, caught at point by William Potterfield for 15 to Pakistan 56 for three in the 13th over.
Inzamam-ul-Haq, the Pakistan captain, lasted just three deliveries before he edged Andre Botha to Eoin Morgan in the slips after making only 1. Pakistan were 58 for four in the 14th over.
Soon afterwards, the same combination got rid of Imran Nazir for 51-ball 24. Pakistan at this point were 66 for five in 18 overs. Three overs later, Shoaib Malik departed for 9, falling to the O’Brien brothers, wicket-keeper Niall taking the catch off Kevin.
Meanwhile, at Port-of-Spain, India elected to bat and were in trouble losing Virender Sehwag for two, Robin Uthappa for 10 with Mashrafe Mortaza taking both wickets.
Slow left-arm bowler Abdur Razzak then had Sachin Tendulkar caught behind by Mushfiqur Rahim for seven.
Rahul Dravid, the Indian captain, fell to slow left-armer Mohammad Rafique’s very first ball for 14.
But Ganguly (66) and fellow left-hander Yuvraj Singh (47) then came together to add 85 before both of them went within the space of one run.
Yuvraj was caught by Bangladesh captain Habibul Bashar off Razzak. Rafique saw the back of Ganguly, caught by Razzak.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni scored just one when Rafique had him taken at short third man by Aftab Ahmed.
Razzak then clean bowled Harbhajan Singh for one as the tail-ender attempted a cut to an incoming delivery.—Agencies
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