Champions Trophy: Batters wreak havoc as India set 324-run target for Pak

Birmingham [U.K], June 4 (ANI): Defending champions India came out with a spectacular batting performance as they posted a massive target of 324 runs in a high-octane Champions Trophy clash against Pakistan at the Edgbaston Cricket Ground here on Sunday. Put in to bat first in a rain-hit clash, openers Rohit Sharma (91) and Shikhar Dhawan (68) provided their side with a perfect start as they not only blasted half-centuries each but also went on to stitch a huge 136-run stand, thus making them the most successful opening pair in the history of the eight-team marquee event. It was also the pair's highest partnership in the Champion Trophy, beating their previous best record of 127 runs against South Africa in Cardiff in June 2013. While it was Rohit's 30th fifty and fifth half-century against Pakistan, Dhawan notched up his 18th fifty and second against his side's arch-rivals. Subsequently, skipper Virat Kohli (unbeaten at 81) and Yuvraj Singh (53) continued the good work put in by the openers as they too scored aggressive fifties to guide India past 300-plus mark. While Yuvraj was hitting freely, Kohli slowly gained in momentum and hammered his 40th fifty off 58 balls and his first against Pakistan. In the 46th over, things went even worst for the Sarfraz Ahmed-led side when the Indian skipper smashed two boundaries and a six and Yuvraj scored his 52nd fifty off 29 balls and 12th against Pakistan. The duo added 93 runs for the third wicket. All-rounder Hardik Pandya (unbeaten at 20) added further woes to Pakistan as he rounded off India's innings by blasting three sixes to help them reach 324-3. However, the innings was interrupted thrice by rain to reduce the match to 48 overs per side.(ANI)