T20 World Cup 2022, IND vs PAK: Virat Kohli masterclass stuns Pakistan

India were clinical with the ball [Source: AP]

The fourth Super 12 game of the ongoing T20 World Cup saw India hand Pakistan a four-wicket defeat in front of a packed crowd in the Melbourne Cricket Ground. With this thrilling victory, the Men in Blue executed the revenge for their World Cup defeat to Pakistan in Dubai last year. 

Masood-Iftikhar star as Pakistan post 159

Iftikhar slammed a sensational fifty [Source: AP]

Rohit Sharma's decision to bowl first under overcast conditions worked wonders for India, as Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Arshdeep Singh made the new ball talk, not letting the Pakistan batters breathe easily in the middle. Arshdeep wreaked havoc in the Pakistani camp by dismissing Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan cheaply in his first two overs. 

However, the experienced duo of Iftikhar Ahmed and Shan Masood ensured a remarkable comeback for Pakistan, forming a counterattacking partnership of 76 runs. Iftikhar batted magnificently for his 34-ball 51 before being undone by a peach from Mohammed Shami.

Soon, Pakistan found themselves in deep trouble as Hardik Pandya removed the deadly trio of Haider Ali, Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz. However, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf despatched some deliveries into the stands to help Pakistan cross the 150-run mark. 

Virat Kohli stands between Pakistan and victory, yet again!

Kohli played a memorable knock [Source: AP]

The chase began in a horrible manner for India, as Rohit Sharma (4 off 7) and KL Rahul (4 off 8) couldn't survive Pakistan's new-ball burst, making their way back to the dugout early. Although Suryakumar Yadav looked rock-solid for his 10-ball 15, Haris Rauf dismissed him to bring the joy back to the Pakistani camp. 

However, Hardik Pandya and Virat Kohli staged a brilliant fightback for India, stitching a crucial stand of 113 runs. While Hardik hammered one four and two sixes for his 37-ball 40, Kohli made his way through to a magnificent 82*-run knock. Although he took some time to get his eyes in, he made up for it in time to ensure one of the greatest victories in the history of Indian cricket. 

Brief Scores

Pakistan: 159/8 (20)
Shan Masood 52 (42), Iftikhar Ahmed 51 (34);
Hardik Pandya 3/30 (4), Arshdeep Singh 3/32 (4)

India: 160/6 (20)
Virat Kohli 82* (53), Hardik Pandya 40 (37);
Haris Rauf 2/36 (4), Mohammad Nawaz 2/45 (4)

India won by four wickets. 

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