ICC Champions Trophy 2017: Reliving the previous India-Pakistan matches in the Champions Trophy

#3 Group Stage, 2013 Champions Trophy

India finally ended their losing streak against Pakistan in the Champions Trophy

India and Pakistan would lock horns during their final group game at the 2013 Champions Trophy. While India had already confirmed their spot in the semi-finals with wins over South Africa and West Indies, Pakistan were set for an early flight home after having lost both their previous games, thus making their match against India a dead rubber.

The match was held again held at Edgbaston where India won the toss and opted to send Pakistan to bat first. Bhuvneshwar Kumar got an early breakthrough for India by dismissing opener Nasir Jamshed in the third over. However, Jamshed’s co-opener Kamran Akmal along with the dependable Mohammad Hafeez lent balance to the innings as they took calculated risks to keep Pakistan in a good position.

During the 7^th over of the Pakistan innings, it began to rain slightly which became heavier soon. Play went on for another four overs before being halted at the end of the 12^th over. However, the rain stopped soon and play resumed shortly.

On the first ball after the interruption, Bhuvi got the wicket of Mohammad Hafeez who was looking dangerous on the field and Kamran Akmal soon followed him to the dressing room with Pakistan tottering at 56/3.

At this point, Asad Shafiq and skipper Misbah-ul-Haq began batting patiently to prevent any more wickets from falling which would intensify the pressure on the Pakistanis. However, rain once again came into play during the end of the 19^th over and this time, by the time play resumed, the match had become a 40-over game.

Even though the rain wasn’t completely stopping, play persisted and Misbah and Asad put up a partnership of 54 for the fourth wicket before the Pakistan captain was clean bowled by Ravindra Jadeja. Shafiq soon followed him back to the pavilion after scoring 41 and his dismissal triggered a collapse as barring Umar Amin, none of the Pakistan batsmen could stay at the crease for long with irresponsible running causing them to lose two quick wickets.

Pakistan were eventually dismissed for 165 with Umar Amin remaining unbeaten on 27.

Shikhar Dhawan’s knock at the top of the order helped India reach the target with ease

According to the Duckworth-Lewis method, the revised target for India was 168 in 40 overs. India began well with the openers playing a balanced game. While Shikhar Dhawan was carving the deliveries for boundaries, Rohit Sharma played calmly in an attempt to not give away his wicket. During the ninth over, however, rain halted play for another 20 minutes and the revised target for India was now 157 from 36 overs.

Dhawan and Rohit added 58-run opening stand before the latter was dismissed in the 11^th over. Shortly after, rain once again stopped play causing an hour’s break with the revised target now being 102 from 22 overs.

Dhawan, now joined by Virat Kohli continued to bat steadily before being dismissed two runs short of his fifty. Dinesh Karthik replaced Dhawan and along with Kohli, helped India to victory with 17 balls to spare.

India were through to the semi-finals with three wins out of three while Pakistan would end their tournament winless. The Man of the Match award went to Bhuvneshwar Kumar for his economical spell of 2/19.