2011 World Cup Semi-Final Scorecard: India Vs Pakistan
The 2011 Cricket World Cup semi-final between India and Pakistan was more than just a game; it was a high-stakes encounter filled with drama, tension, and unforgettable moments. Held in Mohali, India, the match brought together two cricketing giants in a battle for a place in the World Cup final. For fans, it was an emotional rollercoaster, and for the players, it was a test of skill and temperament under immense pressure. Let's dive into the details of that iconic match and relive the key moments through the scorecard.
India's Innings
India won the toss and elected to bat, setting the stage for what would be a thrilling innings. The opening pair of Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag walked out to the crease with the hopes of a billion Indians resting on their shoulders. The atmosphere in the stadium was electric, with every run cheered as if it were a boundary. Sehwag started aggressively, smashing a few quick boundaries before falling to Wahab Riaz, who would prove to be Pakistan's key weapon on the day. His quickfire 38 set the tone for India's innings, injecting momentum early on.
Then came Sachin Tendulkar, the master blaster, who played a patient yet crucial innings. He weathered some early storms, surviving a few close calls and dropped catches, but remained resilient. Tendulkar's innings was a mix of cautious defense and calculated aggression. He kept the scoreboard ticking, forming important partnerships with Gautam Gambhir and later with Suresh Raina. Tendulkar's contribution was vital in anchoring the innings and ensuring that India had a solid foundation to build upon. Despite not being at his fluent best, his experience and composure were invaluable.
Gautam Gambhir provided solid support, contributing a steady 27 before being bowled by Hafeez. Yuvraj Singh, the hero of the tournament for India, couldn't replicate his earlier heroics, falling for a duck. This was a crucial moment, as Pakistan sensed an opportunity to seize control. MS Dhoni, the Indian captain, then joined Tendulkar, and together they added some valuable runs. Dhoni's innings was characteristic of his calm and collected approach, rotating the strike and finding the occasional boundary. But it was Suresh Raina's late flourish that really boosted India's total, scoring a quick 36 off 39 balls. Raina’s innings provided the much-needed impetus towards the end, ensuring India reached a competitive score.
The Indian innings eventually ended at 260/9 in their 50 overs. Wahab Riaz was the pick of the Pakistani bowlers, taking 5 crucial wickets and unsettling the Indian batting lineup. His aggressive bowling and ability to generate reverse swing caused problems for the Indian batsmen. Despite the strong start, the middle overs saw some tight bowling from Pakistan, restricting India's scoring rate. However, the late surge ensured India had a decent total to defend.
Key Partnerships
- Sachin Tendulkar & Gautam Gambhir: Their partnership stabilized the innings after the early loss of Sehwag.
- Sachin Tendulkar & MS Dhoni: Added valuable runs in the middle overs.
- Suresh Raina & Harbhajan Singh: Their late partnership provided a crucial boost to the total.
Pakistan's Innings
Chasing 261, Pakistan needed a solid start, but they were quickly put under pressure by the Indian bowlers. The opening pair of Kamran Akmal and Mohammad Hafeez struggled to find their rhythm against the disciplined bowling of Zaheer Khan and Ashish Nehra. The pressure mounted as the run rate began to climb, and the early loss of wickets further dented their hopes.
Kamran Akmal was the first to fall, caught behind off Zaheer Khan. Mohammad Hafeez followed soon after, adding to Pakistan's woes. Asad Shafiq and Younis Khan then attempted to rebuild the innings, but the asking rate kept climbing. The Indian bowlers maintained tight lines and lengths, making it difficult for the Pakistani batsmen to score freely. The pressure was relentless, and the fielders backed up the bowlers with some sharp fielding.
Umar Akmal showed some resistance with a fighting 29, but he too succumbed to the pressure, caught off Harbhajan Singh. The middle order crumbled under the weight of expectations, and Pakistan found themselves in deep trouble. Shahid Afridi, the Pakistani captain, tried to inject some momentum with a few aggressive shots, but his innings was short-lived. He fell to Yuvraj Singh, who continued his impressive run in the tournament with the ball.
Misbah-ul-Haq, known for his calm demeanor, tried to salvage the innings, but he lacked support from the other end. The lower order offered little resistance, and Pakistan's innings eventually folded for 231. Zaheer Khan was the standout bowler for India, taking 3 crucial wickets and dismantling the Pakistani top order. The Indian fielding was sharp, with some excellent catches taken at crucial moments.
Key Moments
- Early wickets: Zaheer Khan's early strikes put Pakistan on the back foot.
- Yuvraj Singh's spell: His crucial wickets in the middle overs broke Pakistan's momentum.
- Sharp Fielding: India's excellent fielding put pressure on the Pakistani batsmen.
Match Summary
India defeated Pakistan by 29 runs in a high-voltage semi-final clash. India's total of 260/9 proved to be enough, as their bowlers put up a disciplined performance to restrict Pakistan to 231. The match was a nail-biter, with momentum swinging back and forth, but India held their nerve to secure a place in the final.
Man of the Match
Sachin Tendulkar was named the Man of the Match for his crucial 85, which anchored the Indian innings. Despite a few lucky escapes, his experience and composure were vital in setting up India's victory. His innings was a testament to his legendary status in the world of cricket.
Turning Points
- Tendulkar's Innings: Despite the dropped catches, his resilience and crucial runs held the innings together.
- Wahab Riaz's Spell: His 5-wicket haul kept Pakistan in the game, but India's late surge proved decisive.
- India's Bowling: Disciplined bowling and sharp fielding put Pakistan under constant pressure.
Scorecard
Here’s a detailed look at the scorecard from that epic encounter:
India
| Batsman | How Out | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virender Sehwag | c Umar Gul b Wahab | 38 | 25 | 8 | 0 |
| Sachin Tendulkar | c Misbah b Ajmal | 85 | 115 | 11 | 0 |
| Gautam Gambhir | b Hafeez | 27 | 52 | 4 | 0 |
| Yuvraj Singh | c Akmal b Wahab | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| MS Dhoni (c) | b Wahab | 25 | 42 | 1 | 0 |
| Suresh Raina | c Akmal b Hafeez | 36 | 39 | 3 | 0 |
| Harbhajan Singh | c Akmal b Wahab | 12 | 24 | 1 | 0 |
| Zaheer Khan | b Wahab | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Ashish Nehra | Not out | 9 | 10 | 1 | 0 |
| Munaf Patel | Run out | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Extras | (b 1, lb 18, w 8) | 27 | |||
| Total | (9 wickets; 50 overs) | 260 |
Fall of wickets: 1-48 (Sehwag), 2-68 (Gambhir), 3-141 (Yuvraj), 4-143 (Tendulkar), 5-187 (Dhoni), 6-205 (Harbhajan), 7-206 (Zaheer), 8-235 (Raina), 9-260 (Munaf)
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Umar Gul | 10 | 0 | 69 | 0 |
| Wahab Riaz | 10 | 0 | 46 | 5 |
| Shoaib Akhtar | 9 | 0 | 53 | 0 |
| Saeed Ajmal | 10 | 0 | 56 | 1 |
| Hafeez | 10 | 0 | 39 | 2 |
| Afridi | 1 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
Pakistan
| Batsman | How Out | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kamran Akmal | c Dhoni b Zaheer | 19 | 21 | 3 | 0 |
| Mohammad Hafeez | c Raina b Nehra | 13 | 25 | 1 | 0 |
| Asad Shafiq | c Kohli b Patel | 30 | 43 | 1 | 0 |
| Younis Khan | lbw b Yuvraj | 13 | 32 | 0 | 0 |
| Umar Akmal | c Dhoni b Harbhajan | 29 | 33 | 2 | 0 |
| Misbah-ul-Haq | c Kohli b Zaheer | 56 | 76 | 5 | 0 |
| Shahid Afridi (c) | c Sehwag b Yuvraj | 19 | 17 | 2 | 1 |
| Abdul Razzaq | c Dhoni b Zaheer | 3 | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Wahab Riaz | b Harbhajan | 8 | 13 | 0 | 0 |
| Saeed Ajmal | Not out | 6 | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Umar Gul | c Dhoni b Yuvraj | 3 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Extras | (b 0, lb 11, w 8) | 19 | |||
| Total | (all out; 49.5 overs) | 231 |
Fall of wickets: 1-23 (Akmal), 2-44 (Hafeez), 3-70 (Younis), 4-103 (Shafiq), 5-106 (Afridi), 6-143 (Umar), 7-154 (Razzaq), 8-179 (Riaz), 9-223 (Gul), 10-231 (Misbah)
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zaheer Khan | 9.1 | 1 | 58 | 3 |
| Ashish Nehra | 8 | 0 | 40 | 1 |
| Munaf Patel | 8 | 0 | 40 | 1 |
| Harbhajan | 10 | 0 | 43 | 2 |
| Yuvraj Singh | 9.5 | 0 | 57 | 2 |
| Sachin | 4 | 0 | 22 | 0 |
Conclusion
The 2011 World Cup semi-final between India and Pakistan was an unforgettable match filled with drama, excitement, and cricketing brilliance. India's victory not only secured their place in the final but also etched itself into the memories of cricket fans worldwide. The scorecard tells the story of a closely fought contest, with both teams giving their all. For India, it was a stepping stone to their eventual World Cup triumph, a moment of immense pride and joy for the nation. Guys, it was truly an epic match to remember!
