Nothing would have pleased ICL Cricket fans than an encounter between the archrivals India and Pakistan and the 2nd Match of ICL World Series had treated them with edgy moments worth their money on 24 November 08 evening. After being put to chase a score of 165 runs, India completed it in style with 5 balls to spare and Cricket360 could never feel them under any sort of pressure, thanks to Rayudu’s fabulous batting.

Indian skipper Satish won the toss and chose to field in the earlier half and things were not going well for the Pakistanis as both their openers were back to pavilion in the 3rd over itself with a score of 23 runs. Rana Naved and Yusuf did the rescue work and their partnership lasted till the 9th over and added 50 runs for the 3rd wicket. Rana was continuing with his eminent form in ICL Season 2 and picked 44 runs off 31 balls studded with 7 fours and one huge six. But both Rana and Yusuf were sent back in consecutive overs and at a score of 79 runs they were struggling at the loss of 4 wickets. Cricket360 felt that things would be shaped up in favor of Pak as Inzamam and Razzaq started to perform well.

Murtaza got rid off Inzi in the 13th over for 24 runs and next over also found Razzaq going back off Binny when the score was 118. Murtaza and Jesuraj picked wickets at regular intervals and Pakistan was creeping to touch the 150 mark. In the last overs Sami struck hard to get 19 runs off 10 balls and he managed to poise the total of Pak at 165 for 9 in 20 overs.

India’s chase was slow and steady and they took 50 runs in the 7th over with a fifty partnership between Khaleel and Rayudu. Cricket360 could feel perfect cricket chemistry between the pair as they were easily converting certain single into doubles. In the 10th over Khaleel couldn’t hit Irshad beyond Razzaq at long off and he had to depart for 36 runs. At half way down, India were comfortable at a score of 85 for 2. Binny could not celebrate his team’s 100 runs as he was caught by Irshad on his own bowling at the score of 99 runs in the 12th over.

Rayudu was gracious and he celebrated his 4th ICL fifty off just 37 balls decorated with 6 fours and one six. After the third quarter India needed 38 runs to pocket the match. In the next over Rayudu was sent back by an amazing catch by keeper Farhat and his contribution was 65 runs off 47 balls. Badani did the tricks for India in the 17th over by picking 14 runs and the equation was made easy at 17 runs from 18 balls. But Sami got Ali in the next over and on the last delivery of 19th over Cricket360.com found Badani flicking Rana to fine leg boundary to bring down the mercury level for India.

In the last over 3 runs were required and on the 1st delivery itself Sodhi managed to hit Razzaq for a four to wind up the things by a margin of 4 wickets. India registered their 1st ICL World Series win and Rayudu took home Man of the Match prize.

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