Another strike on Pakistan: Amit Shah congratulates team India for win over arch-rivals

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday congratulated team India for winning their World Cup match against Pakistan, with an apparent reference to Indian military’s recent strikes inside the neighbouring country.

"Another strike on Pakistan by #TeamIndia and the result is same. Congratulations to the entire team for this superb performance. Every Indian is feeling proud and celebrating this impressive win," the minister tweeted.

Shah was probably referring to Indian military’s strike against terror outfits in Pakistan during the last tenure of the Narendra Modi government. On February 26, India had carried out an air strike on terror launch pads in Pakistan in response to the February 14 Pulwama terror attack on a CRPF convoy.

Earlier in 2016, India had carried out a surgical strike inside Pakistani territory to demolish terror launch pads near the border. The strike was India’s response to a terror attack on an Army camp in Jammu and Kashmir’s Uri.

In one of the biggest encounters of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, India on Sunday thrashed Pakistan by 89 runs (DLS method) in a rain-affected game. With the victory, India extended its winning streak against Pakistan in the World Cup to 7-0.

After winning the toss, Pakistan invited India to bat first in overcast English conditions at Old Trafford in Manchester. India started carefully and then blasted the Pakistan bowlers to reach a total of 336, courtesy Rohit Sharma’s stunning century and crucial half centuries by KL Rahul and Virat Kohli.

Chasing the target, Pakistan lost their opener Imam-ul-Haq early in the innings. He was removed LBW by Vijay Shankar who struck on his very first ball of the World Cup. However, after the first wicket, Fakhar Zaman (62) and Babar Azam (48) stitched a good 104-run partnership for the second wicket to keep Pakistan in the contest.

However, a brilliant delivery from Kuldeep Yadav removed Babar on the last ball of 24th over. After Babar’s wicket, the Pakistani team was all over and lost their next three batsman in for just 12 runs. They ended their innings at 212-6 in 40 overs and lost the game by 89 runs.