IND vs PAK: In the highly anticipated clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan at the ODI World Cup 2023, India maintained their dominant form with an eighth consecutive victory, cruising to a comfortable seven-wicket win over Pakistan. Rohit Sharma's splendid 86 and Shreyas Iyer's unbeaten 53 ensured the chase of 192 was smooth.

Pakistan, despite a strong start collapsed to 191. Pakistan's captain, Babar Azam, achieved a significant milestone by scoring his maiden ODI half-century against India at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

After winning the toss, India elected to field first. Babar Azam, Pakistan's batting mainstay, entered the crease at number three after the early dismissal of opener Abdullah Shafique.

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Babar wasted no time and accelerated his innings right from the beginning. He reached his fifty off just 57 deliveries, marking a significant breakthrough in his ODI career against India. The fifty ended a five-match streak in which he had failed to achieve a half-century against the Indian team.

Babar was eventually dismissed by Mohammed Siraj in the 30th over. Babar's contribution was crucial, as he formed a vital partnership of 82 runs with his teammate Muhammad Rizwan for the third wicket. After Babar got out, Pakistan's innings derailed as the side was ultimately bowled out for a below par total of 191 runs.

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Babar's first encounter with India was in the 2017 Champions Trophy, where he fell for just eight runs. However, he scored 46 in the final of the same tournament, which Pakistan won. Babar had come close to half-centuries with scores in the forties against India in the 2018 Asia Cup and the 2019 World Cup, but had not managed to convert them.

In his overall ODI career, Babar Azam has amassed over 5400 runs at an astonishing average of above 57. His impressive record includes 19 centuries and 28 half-centuries. He is currently ranked the number one batsmen in the ODI format.


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