Virat Kohli scored an imperious half-century and Ravichandran Ashwin was cold to death as India secured a four-wicket win on the final ball against historic rivals Pakistan at the T20 World Cup on Sunday in front of a huge Melbourne crowd. Cricket Ground.
Pakistani spin-bowling all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz had a final to forget, gifting India two broads and a no-ball before Ashwin coolly blasted the half-winning run as India chased 160 for the win.
Man of the match Kohli was magnificent, bringing India to the brink of victory with 82 not eliminated after bailing the team out of trouble in a brilliant collaboration with Hardik Pandya (40).
Pakistan was heading for what looked like a morale-boosting victory, but Kohli went ballistic with the bat in the final overs to bring India home in front of 90,293 screaming fans and hundreds of millions of other spectators across the country. world.
“Well, it’s a surreal atmosphere. Honestly, I have no words. I have no idea how it happened, ”Kohli said.
“Hardik kept telling me, just believe we can stay until the end. I’m speechless “.
Kohli beat six straight in the penultimate against Haris Rauf to push India 15 runs from winning their last six balls.
With Kohli out of strike, Nawaz caught Pandya up close with a wrong slog to break a 113-run partnership.
Kohli resumed the strike and scored a six on a no-ball as the reels fell for Nawaz, who then threw wide.
Kohli was thrown from the free throw on the next ball, but the ball trembled for three byes from the stumps.
With two balls left and two points needed, Nawaz stunned Dinesh Karthik but threw a wide on what would be the last ball of the over.
Ashwin cleared the field with a calm finish to complete the win, sending Indian fans into a frenzy.
It was a cruel ending for Pakistan, which had recovered well to record a defensible total of 159 out of eight after losing the draw and starting badly with the bat.
“It’s all thanks to Hardik Pandya and Virat Kohli,” said Pakistan captain Babar Azam.
“They changed the momentum and ended the match well … We had a chance and we just asked the guys to believe in themselves, but once again it’s thanks to Virat Kohli.”
