Melbourne: India have defeated Pakistan by four wickets in a thrilling match between two arch rivals in the T-20 world cup super 12 round here.
Like Pakistan, Indian start was also poor as four opening players bowled out at above 30 score.
But when Kohli and Pandya stepped in, they helped the team bounce back and piled pressure on the bowlers.
Before Pandya’s (40) dismissal, he and Kohli (82) shared a partnership of 113 runs off 78 balls.
India suffered a setback after Panday’s dismissal and the match entered a nerve-wracking phase in the last over.
India needed 16 runs in the final over, when Mohammad Nawaz bowled Pandya. In the beginning, it seemed like Pakistan were on top, but Nawaz’s no-ball and six from Kohli set the stage for India — and although Dinesh Karthik was sent back to the pavilion, it did not affect the Men In Blue’s.
At the end of 20 overs, India stood at 160 for the loss of six wickets. Kohli was awarded the Man of The Match award.
India win the match in a last-ball finish
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 23, 2022
Good fight shown by the boys#WeHaveWeWill | #T20WorldCup | #INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/aVKsd8dM8Z
Earlier, Pakistan have set a normal target of 160 runs to India in its first match of T-20 world cup super 12 round against arch rival India while losing eight wickets.
India had won the toss against Pakistan and chose to field first in the high-octane match at the T20 World Cup 2022 being played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Pakistan start was not impressive as both the opener skipper Baber Azam and Muhammad Rizwan sent to pavilion just on 10 runs score. The captain Baber Azam lost his wicket on golden duck.
Hyder Ali and Asif Ali once again failed to make any difference for their side.
For his stunning match-winning knock, @imVkohli bags the Player of the Match award.
— BCCI (@BCCI) October 23, 2022
Scorecardhttps://t.co/mc9usehEuY #TeamIndia | #T20WorldCup | #INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/xF7LfA4Od5
Iftakhar Ahmed and Shan Masood showed their better performance today as both scored half centuries. It was Iftakhar Ahmed second half century of his career while third of Shan Masood.
The duo strengthened the team position by their partnership of 76 runs. Iftakhar Ahmed bowled out on 51 off 34 balls while Shan Masood remained not out on 52 off 42 balls. Shan Masood completed his fifty with the help of five fours off 40 balls.
Shaheen Shah Afridi scored 16 runs.
On the other hand, Arshdeep Singh, Hardik Pandya took three wickets each while Bhuneshwar Kumar got two.
The Group 2 high-voltage clash is the 16th match of the world’s biggest cricket event.
Playing XI
Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Babar Azam (c), Shan Masood, Shadab Khan, Haider Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Asif Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf.
India: Rohit Sharma (c), KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Axar Patel, R Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Arshdeep Singh.
