Shaheen Shah Afridi’s early strikes can always leave the opposition in disarray, the batters fretting and usher hope in the Pakistan camp even when defending small targets.
It’s never prudent to write Afridi off since his 140-plus thunderbolts can dart back to upset all calculations. Aware that therein lies Pakistan’s hopes of defending 192, Rohit Sharma didn’t wish to waste an opportunity. The show of intent was necessary.
Having taken a few overs to get a measure of Afridi’s potency on this docile wicket because of the local black soil, Rohit launched into his favourite pull once the left-arm fast bowler decided to dig it in short.
It was zooming just over his shoulder and Rohit perfectly placed himself to pull it over the deep square leg fence. More than the six runs it fetched, it was a statement of the team’s resolve and a show of the daring attitude this team has developed over time.
Rohit had set the tone for the chase and made Afridi look like a spent force. Perhaps the absence of Naseem Shah has left him short of the desired support at the other end.
Once Afridi was put in place, Rohit knew there was nothing to worry about. There was another lethal strike in the next over from Mohammad Nawaz over long-on. Two more sixes followed in the next over from Haris Rauf.
In a way, the India captain made sure Pakistan didn’t show the zeal to stage a comeback with his brutal sixes. Even the early dismissals of Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli had no impact on the outcome.
There wasn’t any overt show of swagger from Rohit during his 86 off 63 but his relaxed effort once again depicted his class and charisma. Head thrown back and with a blank look into the dark sky, he walked back after being dismissed with only 36 remaining for victory.
The seven-wicket victory with 117 balls remaining made it 8-0 for India in 50-over World Cups.
Pakistan’s meek surrender in the middle overs when they lost eight wickets for just 36 runs has now become a regular feature in such big showdowns.
The way India sprung back after Pakistan were 155/2 in the 30th over just shows that this team is almost invincible in these conditions.
“I will keep my fingers crossed. We don’t want to get too excited and also not get too low... It is a long tournament... Just have to keep the balance and go forward,” Rohit summed it up well in the end.
Perhaps only a bad day in office would be able to break their tempo.
