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India ease to 76-run win over Pakistan in World Cup opener

India begin the defence of their World Cup title with a 76-run win over rivals Pakistan in Adelaide.

India have started their World Cup campaign with a convincing 76-run win over rivals Pakistan in Adelaide this morning.

The defending champions set Pakistan a target of 301 for victory, but Younus Khan was out for just six in the fourth over after edging the ball behind to MS Dhoni.

Ahmed Shehzad and Haris Sohail put on 68 for the second wicket, but the latter was caught out by Ravi Ashwin's spin, pulling a delivery straight to Suresh Raina.

India soon had their opponents on the ropes as Shehzad and Sohaib Maqsood were removed with back-to-back deliveries from Umesh Yadav, while Ravindra Jadeja dismissed Umar Akmal for a duck in the following over, leaving Pakistan 196 short at the halfway point.

After a brief show of resilience from Pakistan, Shahid Afridi fell for 22 before Wahab Riaz became three third player to be out before getting off the mark.

Captain Misbah-ul-Haq restored some pride for Pakistan, completing his half-century, but the team still needed 117 off the final 12 overs.

Misbah continued to keep the runs coming, but was out in the 46th over for 76 off 83 deliveries, while Mohit Sharma ended the Pakistan innings early as he claimed the final wicket shortly after.

India's next match is against South Africa on Saturday, while Pakistan face the West Indies on Friday.

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Sian Cowper
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Umar Gul of Pakistan celebrates after dismissing Sri Lanka's batsman Kumar Sangakkra during the third one day international (ODI) cricket match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka at The Sharjah Cricket Stadium in Sharjah, on December 22, 2013
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