India put in a mesmerizing performance in the ICC Champions Trophy at Edgbaston on Sunday as they clinically outperformed Pakistan in all departments in their first encounter after a long time. Further, the defending champions humiliated Pakistan in the 'Mother of all cricket clashes' while defeating them by 124 runs. After being put in to bat, India scored 319 runs for the loss of 3 wickets. Rohit Sharma, captain Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya, Shikhar Dhawan and Yuvraj Singh played some belligerent innings to propel India towards a mammoth score.
Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma's strong opening partnership laid the foundation for a big total. Captain Kohli then played a brilliant knock of 81 that provided the impetus to the middle order. Yuvraj Singh hit a whirlwind half century that provided the late flourish to post 300 plus and earned him the 'Man of the match award'.
Mohamad Aamir was injured at a crucial juncture and could not complete his spell at the death. Lack of firepower in the spin department too emerged as a headache for Pakistan. Rain played spoilsport in between and Pakistan was given a target of 289 runs in 41 overs. However, the Indian bowlers led by speedster Umesh Yadav didn't let Pakistan off the hook and took three crucial wickets.
Lack of a dependable opening pair unlike India added to their problems. Makeshift opener Azhar Ali couldn't fulfil the expectations of his team and Pak was under pressure since the beginning itself. All-rounder Hardik Pandya and spinner Ravindra Jadeja took two wickets apiece to pile further pressure on the Pakistan middle-order. Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar too bowled economically and Kumar took one wicket. Jadeja was exceptional in the field as he scalped Shoaib Malik's wicket with a direct throw. Overall, it was a brilliant performance from India in the field and they completely outclassed their arch-rivals.
Rain ruins Australia's run chase
Australia faced a make or break showdown with England after their Group A clash against Bangladesh was abandoned due to rain on Monday. Steve Smith's side were chasing 183 to beat Bangladesh at The Oval when persistent drizzle forced the players from the field. Having scored 83-1 from 16 overs, Australia only needed to play for four more overs to be eligible to win via the Duckworth-Lewis rule for rain-affected games. Instead, Smith and his team-mates were reduced to anxiously looking at weather updates and peering upwards for any sign of a break in the slate grey sky.
Unfortunately for Australia, who bowled out Bangladesh for 182, the rain became heavier and the match was called off.
Amla & Tahir lift South Africa
Hashim Amla's composed century set up a 96-run victory for South Africa over Sri Lanka in the Champions Trophy on Saturday. Amla's 103 was backed up by Faf du Plessis' 75 and JP Duminy's 38 not out as South Africa posted 299-6. Sri Lanka were bowled out for 203 in the 42nd over with leg spinner Imran Tahir taking 4-27. Sri Lanka fought back well after Amla's and du Plessis' 145-run second-wicket stand looked to have set South Africa up for a huge total. The Sri Lankans made a stunning start to their chase, but failed to get near its target despite a stunning start to its response.
Australia vs New Zealand match abandoned
Owing to the wet outfield and continuous rainfall, the second encounter between Australia and New Zealand, was called off at Edgbaston, Birmingham on Friday. Both the teams took one point each post the Aussie batting line-up struggled to face the New Zealand pace attack in the first nine overs. Australia were 53 for 3 in nine overs, when the rain interrupted and the umpires called off the game.
It's cruise for England
Joe Root shrugged off an ankle injury to hit a superb unbeaten 133 and lead England to a comfortable eight-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the opening game of the Champions Trophy at The Oval on Thursday.
Alex Hales made 95 and captain Eoin Morgan 75 not out as hosts England overhauled their target of 306 with 16 balls to spare, the highest successful run-chase in the tournament's history. The day had started badly for England, bidding to win their first global 50-over trophy, when all-rounder Chris Woakes limped off due to a side strain after bowling two overs.
Tamim Iqbal struck a fluent 128 and shared a 166-run partnership with Mushfiqur Rahim to push Bangladesh to a competitive total of 305 for six.
