India pulled off a comprehensive 76-run victory over Pakistan to get its World Cup campaign off to a rousing start at Adelaide Oval here on Sunday.
Virat Kohli slammed his 22nd ODI hundred, first by an Indian against Pakistan in a World Cup match. He found able allies in Shikhar Dhawan (73) and Suresh Raina (74), as India ran up a total of 300.
From 103 for five at the half-way stage, there was clearly no way back for Misbah-ul-Haq’s men and, a defiant 76 from the skipper notwithstanding, they sank to 224 all out.
Mohammed Shami performed creditably, his four for 35 instrumental in Pakistan’s defeat. He was supported by the erratic if potent Umesh Yadav, who broke the back of the Pakistani middle order with two quick wickets.
The star of the evening was Kohli, who treated a crowd of 41,587 to a finely constructed hundred. His 129-run stand with Dhawan was knit with a great deal of common sense.
The result extended India’s winning streak over Pakistan in World Cups to six games out of six.
India next faces South Africa in Melbourne on February 22.
