Pakistan legend Waqar Younis on Monday claimed India are superior to his former team because Virat Kohli's men intimidate their archrivals.

Sarfaraz Ahmed's side were no match India, who cruised to an 89-run win via the DLS method in Sunday's World Cup clash in Manchester.

Indian opener Rohit Sharma led the demolition with his 140 off 113 deliveries to pile on 336 for five in 50 overs.

Pakistan could only muster 212-6 in their revised target of 302 in 40 overs in the rain-affected match.

Waqar believes Pakistan struggled to cope with the pressure put on them by India, who excel at team-play while his country rely too much on individuals.

"In the last few years, there's been a massive difference India and Pakistan - and again it showed at Old Trafford on Sunday," Waqar said. 

"Pakistan are still trying to rely on talent alone, while with India it's all about teamwork. They all know their roles, and they execute them superbly. 

"We had good sides in the 1990s, but now I think this India team intimidates Pakistan."

Sharma, who scored his second hundred of the competition, put on 136 runs for the opening wicket with KL Rahul to see off the initial threat from Pakistan quick Mohammad Amir.

The rest of the bowling lacked sting to cause any trouble to the strong Indian batting line up.

Rahul made a measured 57 while skipper Virat Kohli scored 77 off 65 deliveries.

"India have very classy batsmen, let's not forget. They wait for the bad ball, and didn't have to do much against the Pakistan attack given the inconsistency in the length," said Waqar. 

"Mohammad Amir was the only one who created a bit of pressure by bowling a good length," the cricketer-turned-commentator said.

Waqar said that there is "no real space" for veteran paceman Wahab Riaz, who leaked 71 runs in his 10 overs for his one wicket,and called for the inclusion of promising teenage quick Mohammad Hasnain.

Pakistan have to win their last four group games to have any chance of making the semi finals of the round robin event, with South Africa next up on June 23.

Feature image courtesy: Twitter / Cricket World Cup

India's Kuldeep Yadav admitted bowling Pakistan batsman Babar Azam in the World Cup with a magical delivery that tossed and turned was a "dream" for any spinner.

Yadav returned figures of 2-32 with his left-arm wrist spin to play a key role in India's 89-run victory via DLS over arch rivals Pakistan in Manchester on Sunday.

Yadav got Azam bowled through the gate -- the ball nipping between bat and pad -- for 48 to end a 104-run second wicket stand involving Fakhar Zaman, who top scored with 62.

"Getting Babar Azam out was the best delivery for me in this tournament. I got him out in the Asia Cup as well," Yadav told reporters.

"After the rain break I went back and watched that delivery. It had drift and turn, so any spinner will love that delivery.

"It's a proper dream delivery and a proper Test delivery. Deceiving the batsman in the air and making him commit the mistake. A perfect delivery," he said with a smile.

He struck again in his next over to send the left-handed Fakhar packing after the batsman played against the spin to give away a catch at short fine leg.

Vijay Shankar and Hardik Pandya also took two wickets each to restrict Pakistan to 212 for six in a failed chase for their revised target of 302 in 40 overs.

"Both Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman play spin well. They were rotating the strike and were attacking, so it was important to break that partnership," said Yadav.

"Getting Babar out and then another wicket put them under pressure and according to DLS they needed a very high run-rate and that was a plus point for us."

Pundits had raised doubts about Yadav's performance in the World Cup after coming off an ordinary show in the Indian Premier League Twenty20 tournament.

But the 24-year-old spinner has held his own with 1-46 against South Africa and a breakthrough performance against Pakistan.

"Everyone is talking about my rhythm. I don't think I lost my rhythm. It happens when you don't pick wickets but the last three games I have bowled really well," he said.

"In the game against Australia they were struggling to hit me and that's important for any spinner."

India vice-captain Rohit Sharma stood out with his 140 off 113 deliveries during India's 336 for five in 50 overs.

But Sharma was quick to praise Yadav for his key strikes in the Pakistan innings.

"He's our match-winning bowler in that middle over phase, and today also you saw how important those crucial wickets were," said Sharma.

"Both the batsmen were set. Of course, he didn't start the tournament the way he would like to, but for us as a group around him, our job is to just make sure that he gets that confidence, he gets that backing from the team."

Yadav has claimed 90 wickets from 47 ODI matches since his debut in 2017.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Dibyangshu Sarkar

Pakistan great Shoaib Akhtar has publicly slammed captain Sarfaraz Ahmed and his teammates for an abysmal showing during their 89-run defeat to India at Old Trafford in Manchester on Sunday.

Akhtar, speaking on his YouTube channel, vent out his frustration by criticizing Sarfaraz’s decision of bowling against arguably one of the best batting teams of the sport. He explained that Pakistan had half the game in their kitty following the toss, but the captain gave away the advantage after deciding to bowl first.

“The mistakes committed by the Indian team during the Champions Trophy 2017 final were repeated by Pakistan yesterday. I can't understand how Sarfaraz can be so brainless. How could he forget that we don't chase very well?

“Knowing our strength, which is bowling, is important. The game was half-won by Pakistan when Sarfaraz won the toss, but he tried hard to lose the match. Toss was very crucial and even if Pakistan had made 260, with their bowling, they could have defended it. So I think it was just brainless captaincy.

“It's a very saddening and disheartening performance from the Pakistan team captain. I wanted to see shades of Imran Khan in him but it's too late for him now.�?/p>

Also, there was a special mention of pacer Hasan Ali, who ended his bowling tenure with a figure of 1/84 in nine overs. The 24-year-old, back in April 2018, gathered unwanted attention through his antics at the Wagah Border and Akhtar said that he needs to translate all of it to the games where it matters the spot.

“Hasan Ali, who never shies away from jumping around at the Wagah border, couldn't apply himself when it mattered the most. Many of his deliveries were short-pitched,�?Akhtar said.

“His mindset seems to be; I want to keep playing T20s and the PSL. But in the World Cup, we can see that he has not shown any pace or swing that could trouble batsmen.�?/p>

Meanwhile, Mohammad Amir, who was Pakistan’s most effective bowler against India, wasn’t barred as well. Amir dismissed Indian captain Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya and MS Dhoni, but Akhtar explained that is easy to take wickets when the opposition’s only target to hit big. He rather advised Amir to be more effective when there’s an urgency.

There were also some crunch words for Babar Azam, whose partnership with Fakhar Zaman gave India a temporary scar during the game. Akhtar mentioned that Azam, who idolize Kohli, has no trait of the Indian captain whatsoever. Backing the statement, the former bowler mentioned how cleverly Kohli manages to rotate the strikes while Azam cannot.

Even the likes of Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik were left out from the rant, and their lacklustre performances in this year’s World Cup was well and truly criticized by Akhtar.

After just a solitary win from five games, Pakistan sit ninth on the log and next face South Africa at Lord’s on June 23.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Dibyangshu Sarkar

The International Cricket Council defended the farcical finish to India's World Cup win over Pakistan after rain left Sarfaraz Ahmed's side with a seemingly impossible task on Sunday.

Pakistan were 166 for six, chasing an initial target of 337, when rain stopped play after 35 overs. 

Had the match ended then, they would have lost by 86 runs under the Duckworth/Lewis method for rain-affected matches.

But the umpires decided play could resume, only for Pakistan to be left needing an outlandish further 136 in just five more overs to reach a revised D/L winning score of 302 in 40 overs.  

"Cricket is prone to farce - this is up there, this is a top five moment," said Jonathan Agnew, the BBC cricket correspondent.

Fellow BBC radio commentator Graeme Swann also questioned the decision to leave Pakistan needing a run-rate of nearly 28 an over.

The former England off-spinner said: "If you're at home and you are trying to explain this to children just say that sometimes grown-ups do things that don't make sense."

Pakistan, unsurprisingly, got nowhere near their new target and lost by 89 runs under D/L, with only rank outsiders Afghanistan now below the 1992 champions in the 10-team table.

But an ICC spokesman told AFP that, with net run-rate a potential tie-breaker in qualifying the top four for the semi-finals if teams are level on points, it would have been wrong to end the game any earlier and so, at the very least, deny Pakistan the chance to boost their rate.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Dibyangshu Sarkar

Fans held contrasting emotions after India's World Cup thrashing of Pakistan on Sunday, but supporters of both teams agreed their volatile rivalry should be left to the cricket field.

India extended their unbeaten World Cup run against Pakistan to seven matches after their 89-run victory via DLS method in Manchester.

Rohit Sharma's 140 off 113 balls set up the victory for the two-time champions after they posted 336 for five in 50 overs.

Indian bowlers, led by Kuldeep Yadav, kept down Pakistan to 212 for six in their revised chase of 302 in 40 overs.

The match was watched by a passionate capacity crowd at Old Trafford and an estimated television audience of around one billion.

But for all the energy poured into the sporting grudge match, fans were keen that the rivalry between the feuding countries shouldn't boil over.

"India and Pakistan have been rivals for long in the cricket field but we have to move on from the hatred. This is not war, so take it as a game," Amit Jain, an Indian at the match told AFP.

"All those news channels that were trying to spread hate are looking for some other news now. This is done and dusted for them. So, we should realise this and grow up," the 43-year-old London businessman added.

Most of the Pakistan supporters had already left Old Trafford after their team were 166 for six in 35 overs when rain interrupted play.

The game resumed with Pakistan needing 136 in five overs and the writing was on the wall as India closed out a deserved win.

"India is a great team, no doubt about it and (Virat) Kohli a man who leads from the front. We knew we had little chance but had to keep are morale up by saying that we are going to win," said Ashraf Ali, a dejected Pakistan fan.

"But it was fun sitting alongside our Indian friends and watching a good game of cricket. That's how it should be. Peace is what we need."

Back home in India and Pakistan it was approaching midnight by the time the game ended.

In India there were joyous celebrations among the depleted crowd of a few hundred fans who had stayed until the end in the northern city of Gurgaon.

Satyam Mishra, a fan in Gurgaon, said after the match: "Today the josh (patriotic enthusiasm) is at the top of the level. I can't express in words."

Fans in Islamabad braved the heat to watch the match on big screens in a public park, but they began to thin out rapidly as Pakistan's loss became inevitable.

"My Pakistani patriot tweet for the day: It is just a game," tweeted former ambassador to the US, Husain Haqqani.

Others were less sanguine. "My thoughts and prayers goes out to the television sets across Pakistan," tweeted one user along with a photograph of a man aiming an automatic weapon at a TV set airing the match.

Feature image courtesy: AFP Photo/ Dibyangshu Sarkar

Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed insists his team's World Cup dream is not over yet despite their "hurtful" defeat against bitter rivals India on Sunday.

India thumped Pakistan by 89 runs under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method in a rain-curtailed match at Old Trafford. The loss leaves Pakistan with just three points from five games. They are lying ninth, just above minnows Afghanistan, in the 10-team table.

India were inspired by a brilliant 140 by man-of-the-match Rohit Sharma as the opener's second century of the World Cup led his team to an imperious 336-5 in their 50 overs.

Pakistan, given a revised target of 302 in 40 overs due to rain, ended up on 212-6.

"The defeat against India hurts," Sarfaraz said after Pakistan's seventh defeat in as many World Cup matches against India.

"Naturally when you lose like this, your morale goes down but we have to lift ourselves because we are still not out of the World Cup and have to win all our four remaining matches."

Pakistan's remaining matches are against South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.

Sarfaraz hasn't given up hope of Pakistan somehow snatching an unlikely semi-final berth.

"We know the task is tough and we have to win all our matches so we have no margin of error," said Sarfaraz, whose team opened the World Cup with a defeat against West Indies.

They then shocked world number one and pre-tournament favourites England before a rained-off match against Sri Lanka and a defeat against Australia.

Sarfaraz praised India for handling the pressure well in such a high-stakes occasion. "It's correct that we're not winning the World Cup matches against India," he said.

"I think it's a special game and the team that handles the pressure well wins and India did that today and in previous World Cup matches as well."

Sarfaraz admitted Pakistan's middle-order collapse was the turning point in their defeat.

"I think Babar (Azam) and Fakhar (Zaman) played really well, but unfortunately we lost too many wickets and that became the turning point," said Sarfaraz.

Pakistan lost four wickets in the space of 18 balls, slumping from 117-1 to 129-5 after Babar and Fakhar added 104 runs for the second wicket.

Feature image courtesy: AFP Photo/ Saeed Khan

India locking horns with Pakistan in a cricket game is never limited to the 22-yard rivalry. The friction between the two nations goes way beyond the field, and the excitement and drama the fans bring along with them simply add the spice to an already electrifying build-up.

Right from the pre-match conferences to the time the national anthems are sung, fans love being on the edge of their seat, and to say they never really disappoint with their antics would be an utter understatement.

England, on Sunday at Old Trafford in Manchester, bore witness to an absolute wave of blue and green revolution. It was for the seventh time that these two archrivals were facing off each other in the World Cup. And although the game never really lived up the hype, the fans made sure the clash still remains something to keep a keen eye on.

Spotted this couple at the #IndiaVsPakistan @cricketworldcup game and was intrigued by their jerseys! Husband is from Pakistan, wife from India so both stitched up India-Pak jerseys & wore them! Both are Canadians, watching the game in England, rooting for peace #SpiritofCricket pic.twitter.com/KrUjtkjFMn

�?Lakshmi Kaul (@KaulLakshmi) June 16, 2019

Face/body paint, drum rolls and what not, the fans never really shy away from all the drama, and this one particular couple at the venue showcased the real essence and how this rivalry should actually be portrayed. Arriving in a stitched Indo-Pak jersey, the couple won the internet over the night. It is believed that the man hails from Pakistan while the woman is from India. Both, however, reside in Canada and decided to cheer for peace in England on Sunday.

And the couple, with a shadow of a doubt, attracted the spotlight and became the internet sensation overnight. This is how the fans have been reacting to their approach:

That's exemplary stuff

�?Nida Khan Yousufzai (@NidaYousufzai) June 16, 2019

Love these guys , most Indians and Pakistanis are divided and these guys are UNITED TOGETHER
#UNITEDTOGETHER#CWC19#INDvPAK

�?S (@satyadev101) June 16, 2019

This is absolutely adorable omg

�?Haleigh �?(@g_haleigh4) June 16, 2019

Thats the Beauty of Sport may both the countries play more

�?Kane (@qadarkhan) June 17, 2019

Very kind gesture, We must never allow politics in the sport of cricket

�?Mustafa Mahmood (@MeMustefa) June 17, 2019

No matter who won the match yesterday, but this is something which will make you feel United..
United by humanity; divided by partition #IndiaVsPakistan #ICCWorldCup2019 //t.co/7ySmeQ8jjw

�?Baisali (@Baisali60635767) June 17, 2019

World needs more and more people like them! They really brought smile to my face! ‍♀�?✌️ //t.co/GKuYiUH9bM

�?Hafsa khan (@Hafsakhanswati) June 16, 2019

Sporting spirit personified!

�?Dr Arvind Mayaram اروند مایارام (@MayaramArvind) June 16, 2019

This is what the game or any SPORT has to be all about. But without Rivalries it can get boring too. Kudos to the couple for embracing Globalisation.

�?kushal (@kushaljinju) June 16, 2019

Exactly it's just a game all we need is thorough enjoyment no hate no taunts no inflammatory sounds.

�?Kshama (@Kshama76616584) June 16, 2019

Feature image courtesy: Twitter

India's powerful home minister Amit Shah on Monday hailed the country's cricket World Cup win over Pakistan as "another strike" -- months after his country launched air attacks over Pakistani territory in an escalation of tension between the two rivals.

The long-running political tension between the nuclear-armed neighbours spiked in February over Kashmir, which both Pakistan and India claim and have fought two wars over since the territory was divided in 1947.

A deadly suicide attack -- claimed by a militant group based in Pakistan -- in Indian-administered Kashmir killed 40 Indian troops. 

In response, India staged its first air attack on Pakistani territory in decades, with Pakistan responding a day later.

"Another strike on Pakistan by #TeamIndia and the result is same," Shah, considered number two in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, said on Twitter.

"Congratulations to the entire team for this superb performance. Every Indian is feeling proud and celebrating this impressive win," added Shah, who heads the cricket association in his home state of Gujarat.

Another strike on Pakistan by #TeamIndia and the result is same.

Congratulations to the entire team for this superb performance.

Every Indian is feeling proud and celebrating this impressive win. #INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/XDGuG3OiyK

�?Amit Shah (@AmitShah) June 16, 2019

India cut bilateral cricket ties with its neighbour after the 2008 Mumbai attacks, with authorities blaming Pakistani militants.

With such a history, cricket clashes are regularly tainted by the political rivalry between the two. Many Indian fans view a win against Pakistan as a matter of national honour, while defeats are looked down upon as disasters.

India beat Pakistan by 89 runs in Manchester on Sunday and have now won all seven of their games against their arch-rivals since the World Cup began.

- Indian cricketers�?triumph

Veteran journalist, Rajdeep Sardesai, son of a former Indian cricketer, said the match was "a bit like the state of the two countries at the moment".

"India: stable, experienced and confident; Pakistan looking chaotic, direction-less and underwhelming," he said on Twitter.

Sadanand Dhume, an Indian writer based in the United States, said it was a domineering performance. 

"In most matters, I believe India should treat Pakistan with maturity and moderation. But in cricket utter and total domination and abject humiliation work just fine," he wrote on Twitter.

Indian newspapers lavished praise on the team, splashing banner headlines and photos on their front pages.

"Bragging rights intact as India make it 7-0 vs Pak", said a Hindustan Times front page headline.

The Indian Express called it a "No match", to underscore how Pakistan were completely overwhelmed.

The Times of India said "mediocre" Pakistan were "stymied by a lack of intent and a disciplined, unyielding performance in the field by the Men in Blue".   

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Paul Ellis

KL Rahul insists his tone-setting innings in India's World Cup win over Pakistan was just a glimpse of what he can accomplish.

Rahul earned praise for his composed knock at Old Trafford on Sunday after taking one of the opening slots in place of the injured Shikhar Dhawan.

Rahul made 57 off 78 deliveries in his 136-run opening stand with century maker Rohit Sharma to put India on course for an 89-run win via the DLS method.

India icon Sachin Tendulkar hailed the importance of Rahul's knock, while former captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth also praised the batsman.

The 27-year-old Rahul, who had previously batted at number four and six, is happy to have grabbed his chance but doesn't believe he has peaked yet.

"I've had to wait for my chance and I'm just happy that I got to bat in the top three," Rahul said.

"If you see anywhere in the world, the other openers have played so well for India, they've owned those positions.

"As a kid or as a young cricketer growing up this is what you dream to do.

"I'm really happy that I got the opportunity and I give myself six out of ten! Hopefully I carry on the confidence and get better."

Rahul's innings, which comes after India were dealt a blow by Dhawan's hand injury ruling the left-handed batsman out for at least two weeks, has boosted the team's morale.

With Dhawan unlikely to be fit before the team's all-important match against hosts England on June 30, Rahul is expected to open with Sharma for the next two games.

Rahul said that seeing off the new ball would be key on English pitches as they did against a threatening Pakistan pace attack led by Mohammad Amir at Old Trafford.

"With the new ball, against any bowler, it's important to see off the first few overs," said Rahul.

"Those first few overs are obviously the most difficult time because you don't know what the ball is going to do in the air and off the seam.

"Once we got through those, we felt a lot more comfortable. For an opening batsman it's important to hit a few balls in the middle of the bat and get a few boundaries going."

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Paul Ellis

There are a few factors that makes viewing sports on television interesting. While the game, the opponents and the stadium atmosphere play a major role, one of the driving forces that ensure that the viewer is glued to the screen is the commentary.

Over the years cricket has seen some big names call the games. While in the past we had the likes of Richie Benaud, Tony Greig, Geoffrey Boycott and Bill Lawry, the present generation has been kept engaged by the voices of Harsha Boghle, Nasser Hussain, Michael Holding, Sunil Gavaskar and Saurav Ganguly. And it’s not surprise that these guys are now busing with the 2019 ICC World Cup engagements.

Though a few names have been added to the World Cup roster, the quality of commentary has been top notch to say the least, expect when it comes to certain Sanjay Manjrekar. The former Indian batsman, who took up the role of a commentary post retirement, has been at the receiving end of some stern criticism from the fans.

I’d rather watch cricket on mute than listen to Sanjay Manjrekar. Why does he talk so much.

�?pranaygtm (@pranaygtm29) June 16, 2019

Sanjay manjrekar is so irritating , mocking Pakistani crowd and team . Comparing few Pakistanis in green with the security staff of the ground was shameful . #CWC2019 #PakvsInd

�?SobiaShah (@SjShah1) June 16, 2019

Could someone get Sanjay Manjrekar off the freakin' microphone please. Such irritating commentary.

�?Ma# (@thoughtcheckin) June 16, 2019

Commentary these days has become like a Kitty Party. People just praising and talking amongst each other. Somebody tell them that our ears are bleeding. #IndiaVsPakistan

�?Trendulkar (@Trendulkar) June 16, 2019

And if the above reactions on social media weren’t enough, during the Indian innings against Pakistan on Sunday Manjrekar went on to compare skipper Virat Kohli to sprint great Usain Bolt.

In an innings filled with some great shots, Kohli relied on quick singles to put extra pressure on the Pakistani fielders. The stats team for the game would calculate Kohli’s running speed for one such single at 25 kmph. This was enough for Manjrekar to instantly compare the Indian skipper to Bolt, who, by the way, could clock up to 37 kmph on his day.

Manjrekar further credited the Indian cricketer of running with such velocity despite having so much of extra weight of the pads and other protective gear along with the bat in his hands. It goes without saying that this comparison

Stupid commentary from Sanjay Manjrekar!!! Michael Clarke applauds VKohli for his running speeds and this guy compares him to Usain Bolt and says VKohli is not even half of Bolt #RIPcommentary

�?Sourabh Katariya (@skatariya1204) June 16, 2019

Manjrekar now trying to compare Kohli with Usain Bolt. At this rate he is next in line to lead Congress’s social media campaign.

�?Arnab Ray (@greatbong) June 16, 2019

Feature image courtesy: Twitter/ @sanjaymanjrekar