One Man Army Virat Kohli Powers India To An Ecstatic 5 Wicket Win Against Pakistan In T20 World Cup 2022

Virat Kohli scored an unbeaten 82 runs to take India to a thrilling win against Pakistan in T20 World Cup 2022.

Cricket Image for One Man Army Virat Kohli Powers India To An Ecstatic 5 Wicket Win Against Pakistan (Image Source: AFP)

IND vs PAK: Virat Kohli displayed his glorious form as on his own, he powered India to a 5-wicket win against Pakistan in a thriller Super 12 match of T20 World Cup 2022. India chased down 160 runs after losing three prolific batters inside the powerplay. 

After KL Rahul (4) and Rohit Sharma (4) were dismissed in the 2nd and 4th over, all eyes were on Virat Kohli and batter in form Suryakumar Yadav. Surya however was dismissed in the 6th over by Haris Rauf, as India lost their three top order wickets. Naseem Shah dismissed KL Rahul while Haris Rauf dismissed Rohit Sharma. 

Axar Patel was promoted to #5 but was run out after facing just 3 deliveries. Virat then etched a partnership of 113 runs off 78 balls for the 5th wicket, taking India en route to a successful chase. While Hardik scored 40 runs off 37 balls, Virat Kohli shifted gears towards the business end of the innings, smacking an unbeaten 82* runs off 53 balls with 6 fours & 4 sixes. 

In the end, Virat smacked 2 back-to-back sixes in the 19th over, as India chased down 160 runs on the final ball of the innings. Apart from Haris and Naseem, Mohammad Nawaz picked up 2 wickets but conceded 42 runs in 4 overs. 

In the first innings, Indian bowlers, particularly Arshdeep Singh and Hardik Pandya excelled, while Shan Masood and Iftikhar Ahmed shined with the bat as Pakistan managed 159/8 against India in the Super 12 match of T20 World Cup 2022. 

Arshdeep was brought into the attack in the 2nd over of the innings and dismissed Pakistan captain Babar Azam for a golden duck. Arshdeep then went on to dismiss Mohammad Rizwan with a short ball in his next over, getting rid of Pakistan's chief batters. 

Number 3 batter Shan Masood then held the crease, while Iftikhar Ahmed smacked a quickfire 51 runs off 34 balls with 2 fours & 4 sixes. Indian skipper Rohit Sharma then brought back Mohammed Shami into the attack in the 13th over and got Iftikhar's wicket on the 2nd delivery. 

Pakistan then lost quick wickets in the form of Shadab Khan (5), Haider Ali (2) and Mohammad Nawaz (9), all dismissed by Hardik Pandya in space of 2 overs. Asif Ali (2) was also dismissed cheaply by Arshdeep Singh. 

While Shan Masood continued with his steady knock, Shaheen Afridi also smacked 16 runs off 8 balls to etch a partnership of 31 runs in 16 balls with Shan Masood for the 8th wicket. Masood remained unbeaten after scoring 52* runs in 42 balls with 5 fours. For India, Arshdeep Singh and Hardik Pandya grabbed 3 wickets each while Mohammed Shami managed 1 wicket. 

Earlier, India captain Rohit Sharma won the toss & elected to field first against Pakistan in the Super 12 match of the T20 World Cup 2022. This match is being played at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne. 

Brief Score:

• PAK – 159/8 (Masood - 52*(42), Pandya - 3/30)
• IND – 160/6 (Kohli - 82*(53), Rauf - 2/36)