Kohli’s Big Century Gives India An Emphatic Win Against Pakistan

Virat Kohli, in yet another superlative performance in a run chase, scored a career-best 183 off 148 balls as India chased down Pakistan’s total of 329. It is India’s highest successful run chase overtaking 325 in the Natwest Trophy final in 2002 against England.

In a must win game, chasing the mammoth total of 329, India got off to a poor start with Gambhir falling to Hafeez without opening his account. But then, first in the company of Tendulkar, who scored a quick 52 and then with the support of Rohit Sharma who made 68, Virat Kohli scripted a brilliant run chase of the Pakistan total. Except for Saeed Ajmal, who got Sachin’s wicket, none of the Pakistani bowlers looked capable of halting the Indian march. This is Kohli’s eleventh century out of which eight have come while chasing.

Earlier, Pakistan’s openers Hafeez and Jamshed scored centuries, 105 and 122 respectively against a hapless Indian bowling attack. Their 224 run opening partnership came off only 36 overs. Pakistan though failed to reach a score of 350, which they looked very capable of reaching at one point in time before Indian bowlers restricted the Pakistan batsmen.

India will now have to wait for the result of Bangladesh – Sri Lanka match to be played on Tuesday to know if it has made the finals. India will hope that Sri Lanka wins that match.