While the world watched, India turned on the heat against its arch-rival and declared ownership rights to a Sunday night here at the R. Premadasa Stadium.
Powered by Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 78, India defeated Pakistan by eight wickets in a crucial ICC World Twenty20 Super Eights Group II match. India finished with 129 for two in 17 overs, a fitting batting riposte following its bowlers’ fine effort that bundled out Pakistan for 128 in 19.4 overs.
India lost Gautam Gambhir in the very first over of the chase as he drilled the ball straight back to spinner Raza Hasan.
A touch of Delhi still lingered at the crease as Virat Kohli allied with Virender Sehwag, who was picked ahead of Harbhajan Singh in the playing eleven.
Good stand
Sehwag swatted and thumped Umar Gul and once those early appetisers were consumed, a 74-run second-wicket partnership ensured that India was well set to extend its vice-like grip on Pakistan on global cricket events since the inaugural conventional World Cup in 1975.
The stage though belonged to Kohli (78 n.o., 61b, 8x4, 2x6), who seems to have taken a liking to the Pakistan attack.
The last time he played against the acclaimed rival in an Asia Cup ODI at Dhaka, Kohli scored a devastating 183.
The same authority and aggression was displayed again and fortune too favoured him as he was dropped on 42 and 64 with Umar Akmal and substitute Mohammad Sami being the guilty fielders.
Kohli continued unhindered even after Sehwag departed and along with Yuvraj Singh, pocketed the game for India.
Delectable
The manner in which he dismantled Pakistan’s twin sword-arms — Umar Gul and Saeed Ajmal — with delectable drives and the power-packed lofted shot, effectively swung the tussle, India’s way and M.S. Dhoni’s men will now stay afloat in the tournament.
Earlier, India struck a dominant note right from the moment Mohammad Hafeez elected to bat.
The Pakistan skipper took guard against Zaheer Khan and the eventful first over, included three wides, a four by Imran Nazir and a dropped catch as Sehwag grassed Hafeez on one.
The tone for a riveting contest was set and when Irfan Pathan trapped Nazir, Pakistan threw up a surprise with Shahid Afridi stepping out as the No. 3 batsman. However Afridi failed to rein in his vaulting ambition.
Batting crisis
Soon Pakistan lurched from one batting crisis to another as Yuvraj and Kohli prised out three wickets between them.
Shoaib Malik and Umar Akmal briefly salvaged the innings with a 47-run sixth-wicket partnership before succumbing to R. Ashwin’s second spell.
Yuvraj then decided to prove that his throw is still potent and that left Yasir Arafat stranded while Balaji nipped the lashing tail.
Scoreboard
Pakistan: Md. Hafeez b Kohli 15 (28b, 1x4), I. Nazir lbw b Irfan 8 (5b, 2x4), S. Afridi c Raina b Balaji 14 (12b, 2x4), N. Jamshed c Dhoni b Yuvraj 4 (5b), K. Akmal c Dhoni b Yuvraj 5 (6b), S. Malik c Rohit b Ashwin 28 (22b, 3x4), U. Akmal c Raina b Ashwin 21 (18b, 1x6), Y. Arafat (run out) 8 (11b, 1x4), U. Gul c Dhoni b Balaji 12 (10b, 1x4, 1x6), S. Ajmal c Dhoni b Balaji 1 (2b), R. Hasan (not out) 0 (0b); Extras (lb-1, w-10, nb-1): 12; Total (in 19.4 overs): 128.
Fall of wickets: 1-17 (Nazir), 2-35 (Afridi), 3-43 (Jamshed), 4-49 (Kamran), 5-59 (Hafeez), 6-106 (Malik), 7-115 (Umar), 8-115 (Arafat), 9-128 (Gul).
India bowling: Zaheer 3-0-22-0, Irfan 3-0-30-1, Balaji 3.4-0-22-3, Ashwin 4-0-16-2, Yuvraj 3-0-16-2, Kohli 3-0-21-1.
India: G. Gambhir c & b Hasan 0 (2b), V. Sehwag c Gul b Afridi 29 (24b, 4x4), V. Kohli (not out) 78 (61b, 9x4, 2x6), Yuvraj Singh (notout) 19 (16b, 2x4); Extras (w-2, nb-1): 3; Total (for two wkts. in 17 overs): 129.
Fall of wickets: 1-1 (Gambhir), 2-75 (Sehwag).
Pakistan bowling: Hasan 4-0-22-1, Gul 3-0-30-0, Ajmal 4-0-25-0, Afridi 4-0-34-1, Arafat 1-0-11-0, Hafeez 1-0-7-0.
Man-of-the-match: Virat Kohli.
Keywords: Twenty20 Super Eights
Balaji was surprising in control. Excellent work by him and Ashwin. And
Virat, as usual, was solid. He can play the roles of Dravid *and*
Tendulkar as needed. Hope MSD will not think of dropping Sehwag again -
but I also hope Sehwag will appreciate the value of ageing gracefully,
adding a touch of self-preservation to his style. Irfan needs to
rediscover his swing. He is less than ordinary without it. Zak, where
are the yorkers?
This match was very crucial for India.They lost the first one in super eight and it was must to win to keep them alive in this tournament.This was more test of nerve than cricketing skills and India did it.Their bowling,fielding and batting were far better than Pakistan.Congratulations India and best of luck for South Africa match.
A VIRAT innings from Kohli....The Jinx of India noever loosing to Pakistan in the World Cup's is continuing. What can I say, just this "We are loving it."
One of the best players on business...another Rahul Dravid and Laxman in
the making. The key is to beat Kirsten's South Africa, which is not
going to be an easy task. I would expect South Africa to come very hard
on India.
Correction:- It was Imraan Nazir who dropped Kohli on 64. Where did you see Mohammad Sami?
Pakistan lost it rather India won the match. Batting of both Sehwag, Gambhir and Kohli was not impressive. I am sure they will improve and play a do-or-die match against South Africa.Bowling came handy on a pitch suited to them. Victory is a victory and Congratulations and hoping them improve a lot.
Well done Team India!! Be more aggressive in the upcoming matches.
great win !
It was easy victory recorded by Indian Team and off-course Kohli made it
look so easy. Great performance by overall team & hope so they will
continue same form till final. thanks.
thanks for publishing the match score entirely with the news about indian victory . even now many indian sites do not publish detailed score list with news report and because of that one has to go to differrent web site,bbc and cricket information one can click soresheet at the top of indian or any team details and score. thanks for not putting persons like me to go AGAIN to get actual score etc
Finally Indian cricket team proved its power. Easy win against Pakistan.
Thank you Team-India. We need consistency in performance. Thank you and
All the best for the next match.
Virat Kohli is a one man army and perhaps the only hope for Indian cricket. He plays hard and wears his pride in playing for the country on his sleeve. If only we had more players like him and Ashwin we could regain our title of world beaters soon.
Congratulations India! The win against Pakistan is most convincing.It is good for Indian cricket that Virat Kohli is proving himself to be a valuable asset to the team, excelling in performance with every match he plays. Yuvraj seems to be back in form, promising to do his best with the ball, bat and fielding. Bowlers Balaji, Ashwin and Irfan have bowled very well to make the win a good team effort.
Congratulations to Team India for the fine effort. Well played.
Please Email the Editor