Dhaka: India defeated Pakistan by six wickets in the Asia Cup one-day tournament at Shere Bangla National Stadium of Mirpur on Sunday. Virat Kohli brutally assaulted Pakistani bowlers and scored 183 runs.
Virat Kohli is pumped up after reaching his third hundred in four ODIs © AFP
Pakistan won the toss and Misbah-ul-Haq elected to bat first for the first time in Asia Cup 2012 tournament. Pakistan’s openers backed their captain with the decision to bat first by scoring a partnership of 224 runs. Which is Pakistan’s highest against India, surpassing the 144 between Aamer Sohail and Saeed Anwar at Singapore on April 5, 1996. Mohammad Hafeez made 105 runs with 9 fours and 1 six in his innings. His partner Nasir Jamshed made 112 runs with 10 fours and 1 six.
Shahid Afridi completed his 7,000 ODI runs in this match, he is the sixth Pakistani to complete 7,000 runs in ODIs, joining Inzamam-ul-Haq (11739), Mohammad Yousuf (9720), Saeed Anwar (8824), Javed Miandad (7381) and Salim Malik (7170).
Pakistan lost some quick wickets in the last stage, Younis Khan then came to bat and scored fiery 52 off 34 balls. This is his sixth fifty against India which helped Pakistan post the score of 329-6 in 5o overs.
India had to chase 330 runs in 50 overs but Hafeez seemed to spoil their chase by taking the wicket of Gambhir on the second ball of first over. India were 0-1 (0.2) then Tendulkar and Kohli made a solid partnership 125 runs. Where Sahcin Tendulkar scored 52 runs with 5 fours and 1 six in his 96th ODI 50. Tendulkar fell victim to Saeed Ajmal, next batsman to come was Rohit Sharma who made a solid partnership with kohli which took the match out of Pakistan’s hand.
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Rohit and Virat put on 172 for the third wicket – India’s second highest against Pakistan. Virat kohli recorded a career-best innings in ODIs by scoring 183 off 148 balls. The said innings is also the highest by a batsman against Pakistan, obliterating the 156 off 138 balls by Brian Lara at Adelaide on January 28, 2005. Rohit Sharma’s 68 is his third fifty against Pakistan & 12th overall in ODIs.
India by scoring 330/4 in 47.5 overs posted it in the record book as their highest successful chase in ODIs, eclipsing the 326 for eight against England at Lord’s on July 13, 2002.
Pakistan qualified for the final game even after losing this one against India as they’ve 9 points. India will have to wait for the result of Bangladesh v Sri Lanka game which will be played on March 20.
Result: India won by 6 wickets.
Man Of The Match: Virat Kohli (India).
