Victory for India over Pakistan thanks to Kohli and Rahul.

DailyStar || Shining BD

Published: 9/12/2023 7:07:17 AM
India’s Virat Kohli jumps in the air to celebrate his century against Pakistan in an Asia Cup Super Four fixture at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo yesterday. Kohli scored 122 not out as India smashed 356 for two before restricting Pakistan for 128 to register a 228-run victory. Photo: AFP

India’s Virat Kohli jumps in the air to celebrate his century against Pakistan in an Asia Cup Super Four fixture at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo yesterday. Kohli scored 122 not out as India smashed 356 for two before restricting Pakistan for 128 to register a 228-run victory. Photo: AFP

India defeated Pakistan by 228 runs after KL Rahul scored a century on his comeback from injury in a crushing Asia Cup Super Four match in Colombo on Monday. Virat Kohli reached 13,000 in one-day internationals on his way to his 47th century.


 

After Rahul scored an undefeated 111 off 106 balls and Kohli made 122 off 94 balls, Pakistan's batsmen, needing a daunting 357 to win, never really got going and finished at 128 with Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf absent due to injury.

After a brief rain delay, India's spinner Kuldeep Yadav (5-25) tore through Pakistan's lineup, with Jasprit Bumrah dismissing Imam-ul-Haq and Hardik Pandya castleing the lethal Babar Azam.

India had reached 147-2 in 24.1 overs after half-centuries by skipper Rohit Sharma (56) and fellow opener Shubman Gill (58) on Sunday but rain meant the match would finish on the reserve day and the runs continued to flow after a delayed start.

Kohli and Rahul saw off the threat of Pakistan's pace attack, missing Rauf due to a right flank problem, and the duo targeted the spinners on an improving wicket to post 356-2 in 50 overs.

Rahul and Kohli's unbeaten 233-run partnership for the third wicket was the highest stand in the Asia Cup.

India raised the tempo amid the threat of more showers and cruised to the 300-run mark in 45 overs before Rahul reached his sixth hundred.

Kohli then became the fifth batsman and the quickest to make 13,000 runs in the format and celebrated his own century shortly afterwards, pumping his fists before raising his hands to huge roars at the R Premadasa Stadium.

He finished with a flourish, carting Faheem Ashraf for two fours -- including one from a free hit -- and a huge shot over the ropes at the end of the final over.

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