REVENGE COULDN’T come any sweeter for Misbah-ul-haq’s men on what proved to be a tormenting day of cricket for the Indian team. Pakistan went in with despair to keep their hopes alive for booking a place in the finals along side Sri Lanka.

Keeping their blazing momentum in tandem, the Indian openers – Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir – slapped the Pakistan bowlers to all parts of the ground, firing 88 runs as the opening partnership in just 10.3 overs. However, with the next three wickets falling in a margin of just three runs, it was the skipper MS Dhoni’s responsibility to clamp a worthy total. Rohit Sharma who came in after Yuvraj Singh’s wicket, the fourth in all – put up a controlled 112 run partnership, that saw both partners post half centuries for themselves; 58 runs for Sharma and 77 runs to Dhoni. With a staggering cameo of 38 runs in 25 balls (not out), Irfan Pathan boosted the scorecard in the final overs, to help India post a total of 308 for 7.

Pakistan’s innings was comforted with a controlled and consistent performance right from the first over. Due to the absence of Shoaib Malik, Pakistan used the ‘dasher’ Nasir Jamshed as an opener opposite the routine Salman Butt. Both the openers put up a rollicking and unparalleled show of stroke play, posting 65 for the first wicket partnership before Butt was run out. Jamshed continued his drive, with a couple of miss hits but all going in his favour. Younis Khan began his innings in a conventional fashion, nudging the ball for singles and doubles. Nasir Kamshed completed his half century – 53 runs in 43 balls – before he suffered a cramp in his thigh and had to leave the field. After M Yousuf’s fall for a mere score of 20, Mibah-ul-haq’s brilliant 70 runs along with Khan’s 123 runs off 117 balls recorded Pakistan’s triumph.

Pakistan will have to outclass Bangladesh in their next match, if they foresee any chance to position themselves in the final. Nevertheless, India’s victory over Sri Lanka on Thursday (July 3) would certain their berth in the final, knocking out Pakistan.