India have bowled Pakistan out for a disappointing 191 after the visitors were looking well set at 155 for two.
It was an impressive innings from India, who took eight wickets for 36 runs during their huge Cricket World Cup clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
Pakistan were looking at a score of around 300 runs before the remarkable collapse that came when Mohamed Siraj took the wicket of their captain Babar Azam who was dismissed on 50 runs.
Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Hardik Pandya and Siraj all took two wickets each in what was a dominant display from Rohit Sharma’s side, in what is arguably one of the biggest rivalries in world sport.
Approximately 130,000 fans are in attendance at the ginormous ginormous stadium in Ahmedabad, which is notably the world’s largest cricket arena.
Fans flocked to the Narendra Modi stadium in Ahmedabad today for India’s huge Cricket World Cup clash against Pakistan
India won the toss and have elected to bowl with both sides having enjoyed fine starts
Approximately 130,000 supporters are expected to be in attendance inside the world’s largest cricket stadium
For context, the MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground) in Australia can host a capacity crowd of approximately 100,024 fans. And a sea of blue has descended on the city with roads around the cricket coliseum jam packed with fans as they made their way into the ground.
The atmosphere among the supporters was jubilant with fans anticipating what is set to be a huge clash after both teams have enjoyed fine starts to the tournament.
In fact, the demand for a ticket to today’s game is so great that hotels around the city are fully booked, while some hospitals in the area have reported an influx of patients booking in for appointments that require an overnight stay. Tickets are also being sold for 25 times the price for the match.
According to Al Jazeera, some homes in the city have been rented out to supporters for over £2000.
The last time the two sides played each other in India was back in 2016, where India claimed a six-wicket victory.
Political tensions between the two nations have meant that they have not played many bilateral matches in recent history, with India’s players last crossing the border to play in Pakistan back in 2008. The last time the two nations played a test match was back in 2007.
While a majority home crowd is expected, with the streets around the Narendra Modi stadium thronging with blue shirts, there was a glaring absence of Pakistan fans.
Pakistani supporters and journalists have largely been unable to travel to the host nation for the game due to difficulties obtaining visas to enter India.
Indian cricketing icon, Sachin Tendulkar presented the Cricket World Cup to fans inside the stadium ahead of the match
A sea of blue descended on the streets around the stadium, with hotels being fully booked for the hotly anticipated clash
The Narendra Modi Stadium was crammed full of supporters ahead of the match
But Pakistan were only able to score 191 runs, as their batters collapsed under India’s impressive bowling attack
India took eight wickets for a jaw-dropping 36 runs in a dominant bowling display
Their cricketers only received visas for the tournament 36 hours before they were due to travel to the tournament.
Speaking ahead of the match, Pakistan captain Babar Azam said his side were not worried about playing in front of the large crowd.
‘It’s not pressure,’ said Azam. ‘We have played at big stadiums like at the MCG.
‘But, yes, all the support, I think, in Ahmedabad will be for India. It would have been better had Pakistan fans been allowed.
‘But I expect fans will also support us as well.’
And while they had to delay their preparations for the event, they got off to a flying start defeating the Netherlands by 81 runs. Azam’s side then suffered a six-wicket loss to Bangladesh before claiming victory against Sri Lanka on Tuesday.
In fact, some fans had also booked in over night check ups at local hospitals
The atmosphere inside the stadium was electric, with fans in full voice ahead of the clash
Despite the tournament having started two weeks ago, a ceremony was held before the game
It is the first time India and Pakistan have played against each other in India since 2016
Pakistan fans and journalists have had some difficulties attending the match after having had problems obtaining visas to enter India
India, meanwhile, have played two games so far in this tournament, winning against Australia and Afghanistan, but ahead of today’s match, an ceremony was held despite the organisers of the tournament opting not to hold one before the opening game – New Zealand’s nine-wicket victory over England.
Bollywood stars including Ravindra Singh performed at the ceremony as a buzz descended around the enormous stadium ahead of the national anthems.
Several cricketing legends were also in attendance, with Sachin Tendulkar presenting the Cricket World Cup to fans inside the stadium.
Jasprit Bumrah opened the bowling to Abdullah Shafique, with the roaring crowd rising to their feet at the start of the first innings.
