Virat Kohli’s sparkling half-century guided India to a dramatic four-wicket victory over great rivals Pakistan in an absorbing T20 World Cup clash in front of over 90,000 fans at the MCG.
India had suffered a 10-wicket hammering to Pakistan during last year’s T20 World Cup in the UAE but edged Sunday’s showdown in Melbourne as they reached their target of 160 following a truly thrilling finish.
Kohli (82no from 53 balls) and Hardik Pandya (40 off 37) revived India from 31-4 after 6.1 overs of the chase with a century stand, with Kohli’s flurry of late boundaries cutting the requirement from 48 with 18 balls remaining to 16 off the last over, which was bowled by spinner Mohammad Nawaz.
Hardik fell to the next delivery before a scarcely believable conclusion saw Kohli score six off a no-ball, India pick up three byes when Nawaz bowled Kohli off a free hit and the ball deflected down to deep third, Dinesh Karthik stumped the penultimate delivery and Ravichandran Ashwin loft the final ball over mid-off with one needed.
More to follow…