India defeated arch-rival Pakistan for the sixth straight time Sunday in a World Cup cricket match, setting off a jubilant celebration in New Delhi and complaints from Pakistani fans about their national team.
The Indians' overwhelming 76-run victory was watched by more than a billion people around the world and nearly 42,000 crickets fans jammed into the Adelaide Oval in Australia.
Cricketer Virat Kohli led the Indians to the victory, hitting 107 and becoming the first Indian to make a World Cup century. Pakistani fast bowler Sohail Khan took five wickets and remained the most successful bowler from his side.
Speaking to VOA Urdu, cricket analyst Ehtishamul Haq said the target India had set was not unattainable, but Pakistani batsmen could not show the sense of responsibility required for this big game.
Haq said several Pakistani batsmen lost their wickets due to poor shot selection while the India batsmen were lucky Pakistani fielders dropped their catches.
India celebrates
Scores of excited Indian university students poured into the streets of New Delhi at the end of the match, dancing and waving the saffron-and-green Indian flag.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter, tweeting, "Congrats Team India. Well played. We are all very proud of you."
In Pakistan, however, dismayed fans complained about the loss to their neighbor and their team's performance. "Poor bowling, poor fielding and poor batting," one fan said.
The 2015 Cricket World Cup is being hosted by Australia and New Zealand and involves 14 national teams playing 49 matches through the end of March, with the championship set for the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Pakistani will play its next match in the World Cup against the West Indies on February 21, while India’s next match is against South Africa on February 22.
Nasir Mahmood of VOA's Urdu Service in Islamabad contributed to this report.
