Vijay Shankar became only the third bowler to take a wicket off his first ball in World Cup history when he removed Imam-ul-Haq during the fifth over of Pakistan’s innings.
Vijay Shankar emulated Malachi Jones of Bermuda and Ian Harvey of Australia. Jones had sent back Indian opener Robin Uthappa back to the pavilion, on the first ball he bowled in the World Cup, during 2007 edition of the tournament. Dwayne Leverock had pulled off a stunner while fielding at the first slip versus India.
Ian Harvey had also struck off his first ball of World Cup against Pakistan, as he accounted for the wicket for Saleem Elahi during Australia’s group clash against Pakistan.
Shankar was brought to complete Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s over after he walked off the field mid-over during the second innings of India’s match against Pakistan. Kumar slipped in the footholes while delivering the ball and appeared to pick up hamstring niggle.
Remarkably, Shankar took the wicket of Imam-ul-Haq with his first delivery, before Kumar had even managed to climb the stairs to the India dressing room. Earlier, after being put to bat, India rode on Rohit Sharma’s 140 and Virat Kohli’s 77 to post a mammoth 336/5 off 50 overs against Pakistan in their 4th match of the 2019 Cricket World Cup at Old Trafford.
The rain has interrupted play in the much-anticipated World Cup match. The play was halted for nearly an hour after India had crossed 300 at Old Trafford on Sunday. The Pakistan chase was also delayed after another light shower.
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