AUSTRALIA: Virat Kohli’s sensational innings helped India post a 4 wicket victory over Pakistan in the T20 World Cup. The eagerly anticipated T20 World Cup match between India and Pakistan kicked off in front of about 1 lakh spectators at Melbourne Cricket Ground today. India won the toss and decided to bowl first.
Pakistan innings
Pakistan’s most trusted batsmen, Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam, opened the innings for Pakistan.
There was a good swing show from Indian bowlers Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Arshdeep Singh. Singh dismissed Babar in the very first ball and also removed Rizwan in the next over.
At the end of the power-play, Pakistan was 32-2. Masood and Ahmed built a good partnership, because of which Pakistan managed to score 60 runs at the end of 10 overs.
Ahmed changed the momentum and scored a brilliant 51, including 4 sixes, before Shami took his wicket in the 12th over. Soon after that, Pandya gave a big blow to Pakistan and took 2 wickets in a single over (14th over). At the end of the 15th over, Pakistan was 106-5.
In the last 5 overs, Pakistan scored 53 runs thanks to some pinch-hitting from Shaheen Shah and Shan Masood’s 52*.
It seemed that poor field placement from India gave Pakistan a chance of scoring a respectable total of 159-8. Arshdeep and Pandya remained the peak of the bowlers for the Indian side as they shared 3 wickets each.
India innings
Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul opened the innings for India. But, India received a huge blow in the power play as the team lost its three core batsmen, Rohit, Rahul, and Suryakumar Yadav, very early. The scenario left India 31-3 at the end of the power play.
It was almost certain from here that Pak would win the game.
India was 45-4 at the end of the 10th over with Virat and Hardik on the crease. Ind needed 115 runs in 10 overs at a run rate of 11.5 per over.
Despite all the odds against them, these two seem to have different plans; Kohli and Pandya took calculated risks and scored a much-needed 50 runs partnership. With this effort, India was 100-4 at the end of the 15th over.
King Kohli snatched the victory from Pakistan’s hands by scoring a heroic 82*. Fans could not have asked for a more dramatic match than this. The last over was full of a roller coaster ride, but in the end, Ashwin chipped it over the mid-off and took the final run.
Also Read: India vs. Pakistan Match Preview
