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[Saba Sports News] India’s impressive streak in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 came to a halt as they lost to Australia in the tournament’s final on November 19 at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. Batting first, the team led by Rohit Sharma struggled with the pitch’s slow pace, managing only 240 runs in 50 overs. Australia, in contrast, easily achieved the target in 43 overs, securing a six-wicket victory and their sixth World Cup championship.
For Indian supporters, the final day was disappointing, but Irfan Pathan, a former Indian all-rounder, had a reason to celebrate. His son Imran and nephews Ayaan and Raiyaan were present with the Indian team during the national anthem before the final. Pathan captured this special moment in a photograph, showing his family members standing in front of players like Suryakumar Yadav, Kuldeep Yadav, and Mohammed Siraj.
Pathan expressed his gratitude to the BCCI and ICC for this memorable experience, sharing his emotions on social media. He wrote about the pride of seeing his son and nephews standing for the National Anthem on the field, a memory he cherishes deeply.
In the match, India initially performed well with Rohit Sharma scoring 47 runs in 31 balls. However, the team struggled on the slow pitch, with players like KL Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav, and Ravindra Jadeja failing to build momentum.
The Indian bowlers, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami, initially put Australia under pressure, reducing them to 47/3. But Australia’s Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne formed a formidable partnership, leading their team to victory and securing their sixth ODI World Cup win.