NEW DELHI: The high-stakes Champions Trophy clash between India and Pakistan saw a shaky start for Rohit Sharma’s side as veteran pacer Mohammed Shami bowled an 11-ball opening over, setting an unwanted record for the longest over by an Indian in the tournament’s history.
Shami’s wayward first over included five wides, surpassing Jasprit Bumrah’s nine-ball over against Pakistan in the 2017 Champions Trophy final.India had lost that match by 180 runs, a painful memory for fans.
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Shami’s five wides in the first over also marked the most by any bowler in the opening over of a Champions Trophy match. However, the overall record for most wides in an over in the tournament still belongs to Zimbabwe’s Tinashe Panyangara, who sent down seven in a single over.
The seasoned Indian pacer looked far from his best, prompting an on-field visit from the team physio during his third over. He briefly left the field before returning later in the innings.
With both Shami and Harshit Rana going wicketless in their opening spells, it was all-rounder Hardik Pandya who provided India’s first breakthrough, dismissing Babar Azam for 23 off 26 balls in the ninth over.
Shami had been in good form in India’s tournament opener, taking 5 for 53 in a comfortable six-wicket win over Bangladesh.
Earlier, Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan won the toss and opted to bat.
