The defending champions posted a total of 300-7 from their 50 overs, thanks largely to an excellent 107 from Virat Kohli, and there were also key contributions from Shikhar Dhawan, who made 73, and Suresh Raina, who made 74.

Chasing a difficult 301 to win, Pakistan began brightly and they built a good platform as they reached 101-2, but they eventually collapsed to 224 all out as they began Group B with a disappointing defeat.

The Pakistan side can, however, take some positives into the rest of the World Cup, co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, as Sohail Khan looked in good touch with 5-55.

But they were eventually outclassed by an Indian team that included the ruthless Mohammed Shami, who claimed figures of 4-35, as Pakistan, who won the tournament the last time it was staged in Australia 23 years ago, fell to their sixth consecutive World Cup loss to their rivals.

India's victory followed a commanding win for South Africa over Zimbabwe, in which David Miller and JP Duminy put on a record stand of 256 for the fifth wicket as they reached 339-4.

David Miller and JP Duminy put on 256 for the fifth wicket as South Africa beat Zimbabwe in Hamilton ©Getty Images



Having been surprisingly restricted to 83-4 by a Zimbabwean outfit who came into the competition off the back of suffering a 5-0 whitewash against Bangladesh, the South African pair dispatched the bowlers to all parts of the ground.

Miller, who hit 30 off the 48th over, finished on a score of 138 off just 92 balls and Duminy made 100 to ensure Zimbabwe would need a world record One Day International run chase in order to claim an unlikely victory.

Zimbabwe made a better fist of it than many may have thought, but they eventually fell short as they were bowled out for 277.

Pool A resumes tomorrow as West Indies entertain Ireland in Nelson.

The 14 teams at the tournament have been split into two groups of seven, with the top two from each pool qualifying for the quarter-finals.

The World Cup runs until March 29, when the final will be held at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground.

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