Heads of government meeting between Imran Khan and Narendra Modi would have conjured up more excitement than Pakistan could have done, as they meekly surrendered to India in their 2019 ICC World Cup clash at Old Trafford, in Manchester on Sunday.
What disappointment the clash turned out to be for the mass of Pakistani fans. From the golden age of Pakistan cricket when they used to be the Asian powerhouse of cricket, they have come to a stage now where India is so far ahead that these two teams simply do not constitute a contest anymore, let alone the greatest rivalry in world cricket.
A brilliant hundred from opener Rohit Sharma and an intense 72 from skipper Virat Kohli took India to a massive 336 for five in their 50 overs and despite their innings interrupted by rain.
Pakistan was never in the contest after losing the wickets of Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam reached 166/6 off 35 overs when the rain came to cool off their frustration a bit. On the resumption, the Pakistanis would feel no better as they required a further 136 runs from five overs, as the revised target was now 302 off 40 overs. The ended on 212 for six losing the contest by 89 runs.
Earlier, Sharma, the Mumbai Indians captain oozed beauty in his innings. The touch player looked smooth and his silky drives reminded one of the favoured garments from the hotly disputed Kashmir. The Indian administered region would have made more noise than the Pakistani-administered region, as the battle for Kashmir took second place, while the men in blue battled the men in green at Manchester. The rivalry was even more fierce than a Manchester United versus Manchester City football battle.
Sharma and KL Rahul replacing the injured Shikar Dawan sent Pakistan on the defensive with an opening partnership of 136 in 24 overs. By that time Sharma was all over the Pakistani bowling and Rahul had constructed a half-century off 78 balls with three fours and two sixes.
With Pakistani backs against the wall, Kohli ran in and with Sharma, they took the score to 234 without further casualties. Mohammad Amir who was the top Pakistani bowler shutout Sharma for 140 runs, having faced 113 missiles, hitting 14 fours and three sixes.
By the time Amir had Kohli caught behind off a ball he didn't edge for 77, the damage was severe. The right-hander faced 65 balls, hitting seven fours. Men left the field looking drained but Amir's 3/47 was something to be proud of.
The early loss of Imam ul Haq created jitters in the Pakistani camp and when Babar and Zaman added 104 runs off 19 overs for the second wicket they felt better. However, both were sent back by Kuldeep Yadav for 48 and 62 respectively and the battle was as good as over. The veterans Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik didn't do much and when the rains came Pakistan must have felt just as relieved as India.
As the Bharat Army left the stadium the chant was: "Jeetega Bhai Jeetega, India Jeetega!"
Brief Scores: India 336/5 in 50 overs (Rohit Sharma 140, Virat Kohli 77; Mohammad Amir 3-47) beat Pakistan 212/6 in 40 overs (Fakhar Zaman 62, Babar Azam 48; Kuldeep Yadav 2-32, Vijay Shankar 2-22) by 89 runs (DLS)