Asia Cup: Kohli leads India to victory against Pakistan
Team India finished the match at 330 for the loss of four wickets, with captain MS Dhoni scoring the winning run with a boundary. Losing to Bangladesh in their previous match, today’s match was crucial for India as they played to keep their hopes alive for a place in the final.
Leading from the front, Kohli scored 183 runs (148 balls) with Rohit Sharma providing a pivotal role, scoring 68 (83 balls). Losing Gautam Gambhir’s wicket early on, Sachin Tendulkar scored a half century before Saeed Ajmal took his wicket.
Pakistani bowlers, including Saeed Ajmal, who is touted as the world’s best spinner, were not able to contain Kohli’s onslaught. Ajmal managed to take only one wicket in the match.
The pick of the bowlers for Pakistan was Umar Gul, taking two wickets for 65 runs.
Earlier in the first innings, Nasir Jamshed and Mohammad Hafeez cracked solid centuries to help Pakistan score 329-6.
Left-handed Jamshed smashed a 104-ball 112 for his maiden one-day century and Hafeez a 113-ball 105 for his fourth hundred to boost their team's hopes of posting a third successive win.
The pair put their team on course for a big total with a 224-run stand, Pakistan's best for the opening wicket against India in one-day internationals.
The day-night match is the first between the two teams since the high-profile World Cup semi-final at Mohali last March, which India won on their way to clinch the showpiece title.
Jamshed and Hafeez dominated the Indian attack, playing attractive shots during their 35.5-over stand to help their team maintain an impressive run-rate from the beginning.
Pakistan scored 73 in the last 10 overs, with Younis Khan hitting a 34-ball 52 with the help of six fours before falling to a superb one-handed catch by Suresh Raina in the covers off paceman Praveen Kumar.
Shahid Afridi (nine) completed 7,000 one-day runs before being caught by Virat Kohli off Irfan Pathan.
Hafeez was the first to complete his century, pushing Kumar to mid-off for a single. He struck one six and nine fours before being trapped leg-before by seamer Ashok Dinda.
Jamshed reached the century in Kumar's next over with a single and then hit the bowler for a six. He also cracked 10 fours.
India, who failed to defend 289 in their last match against Bangladesh on Friday, again put in a below-par performance as none of their bowlers could keep pressure on the Pakistani openers.
Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni used eight bowlers, including part-time spinner Sachin Tendulkar who bowled just 10 deliveries before he was injured attempting to hold a return catch off Jamshed when the batsman was on 69.
Pakistan broke its record of highest opening partnership against India after making 175 runs at 29 overs. The previous record of highest opening partnership was made by Amir Sohail and Saeed Anwar with 144 runs in 1996.
Pakistan have posted two victories in the tournament, while India and Bangladesh have one win after two matches. Sri Lanka have lost both of their games.
Pakistan: Misbahul-Haq (capt), Mohammad Hafeez, Nasir Jamshed, Younis Khan, Umar Akmal, Hammad Azam, Shahid Afridi, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, Aizaz Cheema, Wahab Riaz.
India: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (capt), Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina, Yusuf Pathan, Irfan Pathan, Ravichandran Ashwin, Praveen Kumar, Ashok Dinda.
Umpires: Steve Davis (AUS) and Ian Gould (ENG)
TV umpire: Sharfuddoula Shahid (BAN)
Match referee: David Boon (AUS)
COMMENTS (153)
@mani: Why are you calling me Mr Pakistani? I am not wanting to prove anything :) I just wanted to agree with the other person that has been jobless that the world needs more love. I volunteer to love/care for/respect/cherish a mighty strong Pakhtun man that can excite me and make me feel the way Shahid Afridi makes me feel. Obviously I can't love/get along with a Pakhtun man unless I start learning his language and start understanding his ideaology/religion, right?
@Girl who luvs Shahid Afridi very much: hihi, funny comment. what do you want to prove Mr pakistani?
Wow Kohli is a class act .congrats to Indians from Pakistani cricket fan.
@Sherrbano: Bookies want India and Pakistan to play the final. Thus Pakistan possibly losing today. Any takers? My dog sneezed twice today instead of once and pooped in the west part of the lawn instead of the usual east side. That made Pakistan lose today. Any takers?
@Amir: You are not the only one jobless. I have been jobless for 1.5 years, so I know how you feel. I agree with you - the world needs more love - I am an Indian girl (hindu on top of being Indian) and I am so in love with Afridi, I can't see beyond him. I wanted Pakistan to win, because I was so sad last year when Shahid Afridi was captain and did not win the World Cup 2011. Cricket is exciting for me only because of Shahid Afridi. To all who complain about Afridi, take a good look at all of Shahid Afridi's good qualities. I dont have an interest in any other cricketer from India or any other country because Shahid Afridi is the whole wonderful package :) I always admire/respect/can never get enough of your gorgeous Pakhtun Afridi, and have obtained a copy of the Quran & have started taking Pashto language lessons since Pashto is one of Shahid Afridi's native language :) INSHA ALLAH, life will bring me a Pakhtun man that can be as charming/kind-hearted/sexy/loving as Shahid Afridi--INSHA ALLAH I will find myself a Pakhtun man that excites me as much as Shahid Afridi :)
@Lion Heart: Is more right than most commenting here. And please recall Shoaib Akhtar or get such stubborn batsmen out. He still some years left in him. Lets avail of his talent just for a couple of years more. Come back Shoaib. These stubborn good batsmen are not getting out.
@hmmmm:
So if India looses to England or Australia its reality and When India beat England 4-0 when they toured India its not honest...Come on Who do you think you are fooling. The bias in your observation is very obvious.
Indian team plays better on the subcontinental pitches which favour the batsman much more than the Bowler. They are playing better and are hungrier for a win more than any team we have had in the past. We are very proud of their achievements and all of them are genuine hardworking cricketers honest to the Core.
Pakistan overplayed fast bowling. India got extra 100 runs and won the match.
@Imran Swati: againg religion....please spare it at some places....it is just cricket....
heres a nice one
kaalia- sarkar maine aapka namak khaya hai Gabbar- Le ab "Kohli" khaa
btw. Who was that guy who said India was afraid of playing pakistan?
@Amir: Find work! Get a life. That is more important than watching matches. These matches will not put food on your table.
As thendulkar got out my son say now we can not this match b/c he got out before century . although it was joke in actual kholi played inning of his life although pakistan were comeback in 3rd power play and 83 runs require in 10 over and india give chance to pakistan but after this kholi play out standing shot even he hit fours on wicket taking devilries . if one can hit 180 plus in such way even u can not defend 400 runs . it was his day and hats on for him . .
@Amir: I hope you lend a job soon and wish you all the success in life...If you look closer, everyone here, like you, is get a break from the real life...so in a way all of us are not very different...
@Faraz: So you want the world record holder of maximum failures Afridi in the team LOL Hahahaha and keep loosing. When he is in the team we are most likely to loose. Your comment is non-serious. Man what choice do you have? Do you have a fast bowler of that level and caliber? It was conspiracy that threw him out. Do you still have a better bowler? Stupid non-serious comments must be deleted. Shoaib Akhtar was the only genuine fast bowler the world has seen and Pakistan produced. The other two we had are serving jail terms or are banned. You must have played some cricket in your lifetime and have some brains to even comment on Cricket? Have you ever been on a cricket ground? Keep applauding Afridi for his continuous failures. Your level is that only.
Let's make it a Law - All matches between India and Pakistan will be considered fixed with exception of those won by Pakistan. THIS LAW WILL BE APPLICABLE FROM RETROSPECT EFFECT (w.e.f. ever since the date India and Pakistan started playing each other). Anybody who thinks to the contrary will be considered an enemy of Pakistan and by extension enemy of Islam. This is part of Gh-e -Hind (or whatever its named) and hence ordained by GOD himself. Period
How can Pakistanis lose. They are a martial race and are not capable of losing. Its only when someone pays them money they make an effort to lose. Wether it is about a cricket match or war. They never lost a war either, Indians cheated them in 1971 and Pakistani politicians cheated them in Kargil
Pakistan under Misbah were on a winning run prior to Afridi joining. Things took a turn for the worse a soon as he joined camp for the UAE one dayers and the T20s and finally the latest India loss. Time to chuck him out for the final...and am sure the result would be positive for Pakistan. Teams with young blood rather than old hags are fairing far better.
Now that India has won the match, its clear it was fixed. Virat Kohli fixed it for India!
@Amir:
Bro- Wish you all the luck in your life Theese are just freindly banters. Please dont mind.
We respect pakistan as a worthy opponent. Its just a game" cheer up
This is display of Indian batting in these kind of pitches. Kohli batted superbly. Wahab Riaz bolwed poorly. If india improves its bolwing the can be one best side.
OK guys , chill. It is after all a game and that too a prelim match in the piddly Asia cup, Dont waste energy.
@Mr. Righty rightist: Just because many pakistani (mostly only pakistani) players have sold the pride of their country in match fixing etc. does not mean other nations are like them... stop this fixing nautanki man....learn to accept defeat gracefully
This is game so give credit to the winners without any ifs and buts. Virat Kholi was outstanding. Our players did their best and also gave their best but this is called game. One has to win.
Both those mulla has not bowed down to your allah...they bent down to India...now we got a century ..plz kick us now...and when kohli made his century..he told pakistan that get ready i will kick you alone@talal:
Well played match INDIA . amazing strategy and confidence . Pakistan's Batted really well but fielding sucked totally . It showed as if team is captain less. No strategy in field by our captain. such a disappointment.
I don't know why Misbah has replaced Muhammad Hafeez after the first over and why he has replaced Ajmal after his first spell (9th Over)? Incompetent captain.
Someone was saying India loses when Tendulkar bats well. Huh!
Pakistan played well, too. Congrats to everyone.
To my Pakistani friends who are either blaming their players or attributing the loss to match fixing- This match should be rated as one of the best between the two countries even higher than the S/F at Mohali where Pakistanis spilled many catches and Misbah played a slow innings. This time Pakistan played their heart out and scored 329 runs which looked to be a winning total to most Indians and many of us including myself switched off their TV's and went out for a walk and were still not sure till India reached around 300. Pakistan would be playing the final against India and they can certainly turn around things and end up as champions.
If there's any chance for fixing the match, it is now...
Either Pakistan pays Bangladesh to lose or India pays Sri Lanka to lose.
Whoever loses in the next match has taken money!!!
I think, Pakistan will come out very strong in the finals and beat India.
History shows that Pakistan can never be beaten for a second time by Indians.
@Syed B.: Bring back Shoaib Akhter??? Are you sure you even know anything about cricket?? At best- He was half-fit even during his prime and now you want him to play again, may as well wish Wasim to come back again. The most idiotic comment I have seen-ever, LOL. hahah.
@Imran Swati: looks like Allah willed that India should win this match or maybe it was Kohli who willed that. There is always a next time.
Amir,
Best wishes on finding a job that you enjoy, and may it lead to a long and satisfying career. Take care.
@hmmmm: Exactly right! The organizers, advertisers, sponsors are banking on a Pak India final to to rake in the cash. No game sells better than that obvious by the huge crowd just in the stadium alone, the number of adverts after almost every ball, and me sitting here in Islamabad can tell you people were out on the streets, markets, cafes, and restaurants PACKED watching the game on big screens specially put up for the event. A Pak India final means big bucks for the ACC. Simple as that - otherwise, this was a won game for Pak. And congrats to Kohli. What a new young joy to watch. Pakistani's actually stood up and cheered him when he got his century. May the best team always win. Cheers.
Let us show good sportsman sprit the better team WON.Congratulations to India
@Amir: Best of luck
Congratulations India; Better luck to Pakistan in the next match!
Pakistan lost because Ajmal took Tendulkar's wicket when he was on 52. They should have known that India looses when Tendulkar scores a century. So they should not have gotten him out.
@Zeta Then may I suggest you use a pseudonym of 'Zeto' & not 'Zeta'!
India finds future cricket captain as " Virat Kohli " from this particular match . A single man who guided India to win a crucial match against Pakistan . He's the hero of the day . Where as Pakistan have given all his efforts to save this match till the end . Nothing really worked in Pakistan's favor , perhaps they've really bowled badly . All Pakistan great effort goes into vain due to poor bowling performance . Here , they must need to rethink about Sami who' has performed brilliantly throughout this year . A single question arises " Why PCB is ignoring this pace man ? What's wrong with his selection ? Can't we trust him again ? "
In this match , there was a great expectation from BOOM BOOM Afridi . But in a real sense , his batting didn't click at crucial time however he completed his personal landmark " club of 7,000 Runs ", he lacked confidence throughout his inning . Next team management must need to promote him as no . 3 batsman if in a case Pakistani opener set a very good total against India . There's no doubt about his abilities but still some time team management suppose to take a bit risk during such a high profile match . Hope for the best in future from Pakistan Team , let's forget this match " it's all over now " . Let's think fresh for final . Good Luck next time Pakistan Team . Have a wonderful day ahead !!!
@across the border: I posted that when we were batting. The Clueless faces of indian team and dhoni were as apparent as sun in clear day.
and fyi ma'am, im not maam.
@Indian: Look at Pakistani players body lang when they were fielding and stupid throws of the so called Pakistani wicketkeeper. Plus when shots were being played for boundaries see Pakistanis commitment to stopping them, u can see with your eyes.
These bookies must be taken OUT!!! All of them! They had fixed it again. :-(
WE WILL SEE THEM IN THE FINALS.
@Amir, cheerup. today is India's day. tomorrow may be different. This is just game of cricket and we should stop from bringing emotional, nationalistic & religion factors. Let's enjoy subcontinal's talent in great game of criket.
I am happy that pakistan open made record against india of 224 runs partnership and we are already in final while india has slim chance. but most important game is final we must win the final.
KHOLI.. What an innings and what a batsman! too good
@hmmmm: Pure mathematics tells me (u r following the game since 1960 ) that u must b in the twilight or atleast second half of your life .... But sad you haven't managed to gain any wisdom in all these years... You have put your stupidity on display big time here ... If u think all matches r fixed then why on earth do u watch the game even today... Do a favour to the game stop watching... Please get well soon....don't put ur loved ones shame by writing mindless comments... U have gone senile
Absolutely pathetic display of bowling by the likes of Cheema and Riaz. God knows what they are doing in the team. Why can't we find any genuine pace bowlers? I'm sure there are lots of them around playing in the streets of Pakistan. We need a genuine pace bwloer who can bowl in excess of 90mph.
Anayways What The Ppp Says (ITS FIXING, CHEATING. OR GAMBLING) We Must Back Our GREEN CAPS.......329 IS NOT JOKE......
its fun reading the comments from top to bottom....just try it once
The inshallah, mashallah gang just gave up in the end they should have scored another 30 runs. But, India, deserves the credit. The good news out of all this is Sachin can finally ride out into the sunset. Thanks to the curator in Bangladesh!
Still i am proud of supporting of my team Pakistan you know why than listen...Hafeez and Nasir Made A Century and Bowed Down To Allah. .. Kohli made a Century n abuses spelled out of his mouth! Thats the difference! This Makes me feel Proud to support my team. ♥"
@Zeta:
" India getting hammered"
Maam, we just won- fyi
Pakistan actually lost nothing in this match. Pakistan has already qualified for the final while india's chances , despite win against SL and Pak, depend on the outcome of the SL-BD match. SRT's selfish, slow knock hurt india against BD.
Pakistan's chances ( I would give it 50% probability ) of winning the tournament stand exactly at the same place as it did before this match.
Regardless of the match result, I am a fan of Virat Kohli from now on.
@WootWoot!:
**
Indians for once quiet on ET website. Thank God
**!!!!
We are back- surprise surprise- we won
*We must learn from our mistakes , only exceptions remember this old adage.This is a landmark defeat utterly shameful, disgusting and unpardonable one . We will continue if we continue with the same style and pack of dilapidated cards ,our team needs to be purged of old Morris mottas,like Afridi ( he only performs once he is leading the team,he doesn't seem to have given up his captaincy obsession ) ,sluggish captain Misbah needs to call it a day.We lack pacers ,match winners ,and fighters in our team. Only genuinely selected in-form players can bring some sobriety back in our team.strong text* . Pakistan must strive hard to win this Asia Cup. Wish it turns out to be a melodramatic situation**
I am jobless since last many moths. These are actually the moment when i forget my worries for a little while though my team is pakistan and it hurts me when team losses the match but my advice to both indian and pakistani friends to be generous and convey love as this is just a match. Many of you just cant imagine my pain and grief. May both countries have a lot of success
you guys lost again!!!! hahahahahaha Remember we are the best
At the end of Pakistan batting, Pakistani cricket pundit said Pakistan batted superbly. At the end of match the same pundit said Pakistan bowled poorly. What he was foolishly trying to conceal that India played magnificently.
Pakistan's bowling created an utter mess of the whole game.
@Afghan Karachite: no boom boom dum dum
india is to good to chase they runs it is not fist time more thean 7 times good luck in final india
Although it hurts when Pakistan loses but I have to commend Kohli's performance... He was ruthless and professional at the same time. Cheema and Wahab Riaz sucks... they should not be in the team.... period...
This win puts Team India in an win-win situation.
Fans happy because India defeated Pakistan and Sri Lanka. If Bangaldesh beats Sri Lanka, India will not be facing Pakistan again and the winning record against Pakistan remains in tact. If Sri Lanka beats Bangladesh India has a chance to defeat Pakistan again. India beats two of their competitors (Sri Lanka & Pakistan)Well done ...
Well played both team. The atch could have gone either way. I am glad India won though.
I don't know how you fix a match where over 650 runs have been scored over all. If the match was to be fixed, Pakistan would not have dared to score this many runs - this is the highest successful run chase in Indian history. Get a life people!
"team’s "mammoth" 329 run chase" Mammoth was defined by Australia and South Africa when the scores were around 500-600. Galeeb dil bhalney kay liya khayal achha hai.
congrats to India! The punjabi boy Virat Kohli, only today I saw his close shot. He is cho cute and soooo modest! Of course the kashmiri Raina god bless him too. After all we are all Indians!
@Indian:
I wouldn't be suprised it could be a well thought out pre planned match to pull the wool over our eyes.
You never know these days which match is played for real and which is fixed. Take the recent World-Cup finals as an example.
It was a great Match between great nations, Congts to India, InshaAllah we'll have good contest in final.