[WATCH] Shubman Gill dismissed for 16 runs by Shaheen Afridi after a quick start in IND vs PAK 2023 ODI World Cup clashÂ
Team India's opening batter Shubman Gill looked in sparkling touch on his return from dengue fever in the 2023 ODI World Cup league-stage match against Pakistan on Saturday. However, Gill's return was cut short by Shaheen Afridi after scoring 16 runs off 11 deliveries.
Gill and Rohit Sharma got India off to a sublime start while chasing the 192-run target set by Pakistan at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The former, who missed Team India's first two matches of the ongoing campaign, began his innings with a drive off Shaheen Afridi in the first over.
Gill continued to deal in boundaries after hitting Hasan Ali for three more fours in the next over. In the penultimate ball of the third over by Afridi, Gill connected with a full delivery well, but could not manage to find the gap or keep his effort down. Shadab Khan took a comfortable catch at point to give Afridi his first wicket in the tournament.
Watch the dismissal right here:
The Pakistani bowlers have not found much movement with the new ball under the lights. The Indian batters, as a result, have capitalized on the same and are making fine progress in the run chase so far.
Team India in pole position to chase the target despite Shubman Gill's early dismissal
The high-profile contest was evenly matched midway through the middle overs, with Pakistan placed at 155-2. Team India, however, managed to run through the batting order, beginning with Babar Azam's dismissal.
Each of Team India's principal bowlers ended with two wickets apiece as Pakistan bundled out for 191 with more than seven overs to spare.
As of writing, the Men in Blue have raced to 38-1 after five overs. The in-form pair of skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli currently occupy the crease while Pakistan continue their hunt for early wickets to somehow claw their way into the contest.
While they did manage to dismiss Gill early, they will need more than that to put the Men in Blue under pressure.
Will Team India chase down the meager target set by Pakistan without any major hiccups? Let us know what you think.