Virat Kohli is the man of the match

Kohli on the tricky Mirpur wicket:

It wasn’t an easy wicket to bat, I wasn’t happy with myself in the last game, where I went too hard at the ball, I had to respect the conditions.

Kohli on Amir:

I would like to congratulate Mohammad Amir for the way he bowled, I actually congratulated him while he was bowling. It was amazing to play such a spell.

What a match it turned out to be after Pakistan were dismissed for 83. The Indian bowlers were right on the money but found some help from Afridi’s batsmen who self-destructed on several occasions. But if the fans thought the game was over in the first innings, Mohammad Amir lit the stadium on fire with his opening over in which he picked up Sharma and Rahane.

Amir trapped Kohli right in front in his second over but the batsman was lucky to not have been given out. Raina fell off the next delivery as India found themselves at 9/3 in 3 overs.

But in the end Kohli’s class and the paltry total meant that India triumphed on a day when bowlers ruled.

Kohli scored 49 off 51 before being dismissed by Sami but India crossed the finish line in 15.3 overs with Dhoni hitting the winnings runs.

India beat Pakistan by 5 wickets

IND 85/5

Over 15.3 (5 runs)

MS Dhoni* 7* (3) | Y Singh 14* (32)

15.3: Wahab to Dhoni, FOUR! Smashes it into the gap on the off side. India win!

15.2: Wahab to Yuvraj, 1 run

15.1: Wahab to Yuvraj, no run

Wahab comes in to bowl his last over. India need 4 runs to win.

14.6: Sami to Yuvraj, 1 run

14.5: Sami to Dhoni, 3 runs courtesy misfield.

14.4: Sami to Dhoni, no run

14.3: Sami to Pandya, OUT! Caught behind. 90mph! Hafeez stumbles but takes it clean at the end. India five down chasing such a low total.

14.2: Sami to Pandya, no run

14.1: Sami to Kohli, OUT! Trapped him leg before. Kohli departs on 49. There was a clear deflection off the bat, but too much noise at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium.

Sami into the attack.

IND 76/3

Over 14 (7 runs)

Y Singh 13* (29) | V Kohli* 49* (50)

13.6: Wahab to Yuvraj, no run

13.5: Wahab to Kohli, 1 run

13.4: Wahab to Kohli, FOUR! Drives it through covers. There isn’t any player better than Kohli to play a cover drive with such perfection!

13.3: Wahab to Yuvraj, 1 run

13.2: Wahab to Kohli, 1 run

13.1: Wahab to Kohli, no run

Wahab returns.

IND 69/3

Over 13 (6 runs)

V Kohli* 43* (46) | Y Singh 12* (27)

12.6: Irfan to Kohli, 1 run

12.5: Irfan to Yuvraj, (free hit), 1 run

12.5: Irfan to Kohli, (nb + 1)

12.4: Irfan to Kohli, no run

12.3: Irfan to Kohli, no run

12.2: Irfan to Kohli, 2 runs

12.1: Irfan to Kohli, no run

Irfan comes in to bowl his last over.

Kohli on Amir before the match

“He is a very skillful bowler and I wish him all the best. He worked hard to come this far and it takes a lot of courage.”

“I am quite happy seeing that he realised his fault and rectified it, as well as went to New Zealand to represent his country.”

“He had always been a world class cricketer and I have no doubt if he had played for the last five years he would have been among the top three bowlers in the world, considering his talent.”

Amir’s clearly lived up to expectations, and Kohli’s demonstrated why he is the best batsman going around

IND 63/3

Over 12 (5 runs)

Y Singh 11* (26) | V Kohli* 39* (40)

11.6: Sami to Yuvraj, no run

11.5: Sami to Yuvraj, no run

11.4: Sami to Kohli, 1 run

11.3: Sami to Kohli, FOUR! On his legs, just flicks it into the gap.

11.2: Sami to Kohli, no run

11.1: Sami to Kohli, no run

Sami continues.

Some wise words from the ‘Professor’

PSL not the answer to Pakistan’s batting woes: Mohammad Hafeez

“There are no two-ways about it. A tournament like PSL can help you unearth some talent which can function well under pressure, but if you want quality batsmen, you will need to fix the quality of domestic cricket.”

“We need to pay attention to club level cricket and First-Class cricket. Both of these types of cricket need to be developed into a highly competitive level of cricket if we are to produce these world beater and high quality batsmen.”

“If we are even compromising on the quality of balls being used in domestic cricket then we cannot improve the quality of our domestic batsmen, nor can we produce quality fast-bowlers or spinners for that matter.” Read full article here

IND 58/3

Over 11 (5 runs)

V Kohli* 34* (36) | Y Singh 11* (24)

10.6: Wahab to Yuvraj, 1 run

10.5: Wahab to Yuvraj, 1 run

10.4: Wahab to Yuvraj, no run

10.4: Wahab to Yuvraj, (wd)

10.3: Wahab to Yuvraj, no run

10.2: Wahab to Yuvraj, no run

10.1: Wahab to Yuvraj, (free hit), no run

10.1: Wahab to Kohli, (nb, 1)

Wahab continues.

Kohli last five T20 outings before this match

7, 50, 59, 90,1

The three fifties came against Australia in Australia. Clearly, he is the solid rock of this Indian batting line

IND 53/3

Over 10 (3 runs)

Y Singh 10* (19) | V Kohli* 32* (34)

9.6: Sami to Yuvraj, no run

9.5: Sami to Kohli, 1 run

9.4: Sami to Kohli, no run

9.3: Sami to Kohli, no run

9.2: Sami to Kohli, no run

9.1: Sami to Kohli, 2 runs

Sami returns.

Kohli’s 29 off 29, and amid the storm, he’s looked like the most competent batsman out of the two sides.

Irfan clearly seems to have found his rhythm.

His pace in the last over: 146kph, 139kph, 145kph, 142kph, 143kph, 142kph

Amir’s top speed has all ranged in the high 140s. He finished with 4-0-18-3 but Pakistan clearly don’t have enough runs on the board

IND 50/3

Over 9 (15 runs)

Y Singh 10* (18) | V Kohli* 29* (29)

8.6: Wahab to Yuvraj, no run

8.5: Wahab to Yuvraj, FOUR! On his legs, just flicks it into the gap. India has put the pressure back on Pakistan.

8.4: Wahab to Kohli, 1 run

8.3: Wahab to Kohli, FOUR! Another one through the covers. Kohli on song here!

8.2: Wahab to Kohli, 2 runs

8.1: Wahab to Kohli, FOUR! Drives it through covers. That’s Kohli’s strong area. Just smacks it into the gap.

Wahab Riaz into the attack.

IND 35/3

Over 8 (6 runs)

V Kohli* 18* (25) | Y Singh 6* (16)

7.6: Irfan to Kohli, 1 run

7.5: Irfan to Kohli, FOUR! Outside edged, but too far from the first slip. The ball races away to the third-man fence.

7.4: Irfan to Kohli, no run

7.3: Irfan to Kohli, no run

7.2: Irfan to Yuvraj, 1 run

7.1: Irfan to Yuvraj, no run

Irfan continues.

Amir gets two thumbs up by the left-arm legend himself

This is the first instance in T20 cricket that India has lost both the openers for ducks and the second time Pakistan has removed both openers for ducks. But can Pakistan keep up the intensit, they don’t have too many runs to play with? And with Kohli there, things could look pretty simple for India as the shine off the ball wears off.

IND 29/3

Over 7 (8 runs)

V Kohli 14* (21) | Y Singh* 5* (14)

6.6: Amir to Kohli, no run

6.5: Amir to Kohli, no run

6.4: Amir to Kohli, no run

6.3: Amir to Kohli, FOUR! Drives it through covers! Magnificent drive!

6.2: Amir to Kohli, FOUR! Was up in the air for a while but into the gap. A welcome boundary for India.

6.1: Amir to Kohli, no run

Amir into his last over.

IND 21/3

Over 6 (1 run)

Y Singh 5* (14) | V Kohli* 6* (15)

5.6: Irfan to Yuvraj, no run

5.5: Irfan to Yuvraj, no run

5.4: Irfan to Yuvraj, no run

5.3: Irfan to Yuvraj, no run

5.2: Irfan to Yuvraj, no run

5.2: Irfan to Yuvraj, (wd)

5.1: Irfan to Yuvraj, no run

Irfan continues.

IND 20/3

Over 5 (7 runs)

V Kohli 6* (15) | Y Singh* 5* (8)

4.6: Amir to Kohli, no run

4.5: Amir to Kohli, no run

4.4: Amir to Kohli, no run

4.3: Amir to Kohli, no run

4.2: Amir to Yuvraj, 1 run

4.1: Amir to Kohli, 1 run

4.1: Amir to Kohli, (wd, 4 bye)

Amir continues.

IND 13/3

Over 4 (4 runs)

Y Singh 4* (7) | V Kohli* 5* (10)

3.6: Irfan to Yuvraj, no run

3.5: Irfan to Yuvraj, no run

3.4: Irfan to Yuvraj, no run

3.3: Irfan to Yuvraj, no run

3.2: Irfan to Yuvraj, no run

3.1: Irfan to Yuvraj, pitched it up and the batsman just drives it into the gap for FOUR!

Mohammad Irfan into the attack.

IND 9/3

Over 3 (3 runs, 1 wicket)

V Kohli 5* (10) | Y Singh* 0* (1)

2.6: Amir to Kohli, no run

2.5: Amir toYuvraj, (1 bye)

2.4: Amir to Raina, OUT! Amir takes the third. Raina bites the dust. Amir on fire!

2.3: Amir to Kohli, 1 run

2.2: Amir to Kohli, no run

2.1: Amir to Raina, 1 run

Amir continues.

Amir vs Kohli, this is the battle all the former greats had been anticipating!

And Kohli survives! He was absolutely plumb there!

IND 6/2

Over 2 (4 runs)

V Kohli 5* (7) | S Raina* 0* (2)

1.6: Sami to Kohli, no run

1.5: Sami to Kohli, 2 runs

1.4: Sami to Kohli, no run

1.3: Sami to Kohli, 2 runs

1.2: Sami to Kohli, no run

1.1: Sami to Kohli, no run

Sami shares the new ball.

What a start by Amir this has been! India discovering just how difficult it is to get through this early phase on the tricky Sher-e-Bangla pitch.

Pakistan’s batsmen in their last five outings before this match

Hafeez: 4, 2, 19, 61, 1

Sharjeel: 7, 50, 34, 18

Malik: 4, 14, 39, 20, 75

Akmal: 3, 5, 56, 24, 4

Sarfraz: 25, 41, 1, 2, 19

Afridi: 2, 8, 7, 23, 29

Consistency would be the keyword here. But can Amir produce some magic with ball?

IND 2/2

Over 1 (2 runs, 2 wickets)

S Raina 0* (2) | V Kohli* 1* (1)

0.6: Amir to Raina, no run

0.5: Amir to Raina, no run

0.4: Amir to Rahane, OUT! Amir on fire! Rahane trapped leg before! Two down!

0.4: Amir to Rahane, (wd)

0.3: Amir to Virat Kohli, 1 run

0.2: Amir to Sharma, sharp in-swinger. Got him! OUT! Pakistan celebrates! Amir struck on second delivery.

0.1: Amir to Rohit Sharma, big appeal. That was close. That was out. Pakistan players can’t believe it. Amir can’t believe it. Umpire says not out.

Mohammad Amir takes the new ball. Can he do some magic here?

Pakistan brought in four genuine pacers but it seemed like they needed a few more batsmen out there as India dismissed Afridi’s side for an embarrassing total of 83. The way the pitch played, anything between 130-140 would have tested the Indian batting line, but as things stand Pakistan would need a miracle to defeat Dhoni’s side.

Will Pakistan bat out their 20 overs? Irfan’s the last man in, could be a tough ask!

PAK 83-10

Over 17.3 (0 runs, 2 wickets)

M Irfan 0* (0)

17.3: Pandya to Amir, OUT! Clean bowled! Pandya gets Amir’s middle stump and things end here for Pakistan. Poor display. 83 all out.

17.2: Pandya to Sami, OUT! Shortish, the batsman tries to go over the top but couldn’t hit it properly. The ball went straight up in the air and Raina took a clean catch.

17.1: Pandya to Sami, no run

Pandya returns.

Pakistan have just avoided beating their lowest T20 score

PAK 83/8

Over 17 (12 runs)

M Sami* 8* (14) | M Amir 1* (7)

16.6: Ashwin to Sami, 1 run

16.5: Ashwin to Sami, no run

16.4: Ashwin to Amir, 1 run

16.3: Ashwin to Amir, no run

16.2: Ashwin to Sami, 1 run

16.2: Ashwin to Sami, (wd) + 4 (bye)

16.1: Ashwin to Sami, FOUR! Sami takes the charge!

Ashwin continues.

Big Nas returns

PAK 71/8

Over 16 (1 run, 1 wicket)

M Amir 0* (5) | M Sami* 2* (10)

15.6: Jadeja to Amir, no run

15.5: Jadeja to Amir, no run

15.4: Jadeja to Amir, no run

15.3: Jadeja to Amir, no run

15.2: Jadeja to Amir, no run

15.2: Jadeja to Amir, (wd)

15.1: Jadeja to Sarfraz, OUT! Clean bowled! Sarfraz got beaten by the length of it. Straight into the stumps.

Jadeja into the attack.

PAK 70/7

Over 15 (7 runs)

S Ahmed* 25* (23) | M Sami 2* (10)

14.6: Ashwin to Sarfraz, 1 run

14.5: Ashwin to Sarfraz, no run

14.4: Ashwin to Sami, 1 run

14.3: Ashwin to Sami, no run

14.2: Ashwin to Sarfraz, 1 run

14.1: Ashwin to Sarfraz, FOUR! Dances down the wicket, picks up the gap on mid-wicket.

Ashwin continues.

PAK 63/7

Over 14 (5 runs)

M Sami 1* (8) | S Ahmed* 19* (19)

13.6: Jadeja to Sami, no run

13.5: Jadeja to Sami, no run

13.4: Jadeja to Sami, no run

13.3: Jadeja to Sarfraz, 1 run

13.2: Jadeja to Sarfraz, FOUR! Delicate. Just guides it to the third-man boundary.

13.1: Jadeja to Sarfraz, no run

Jadeja continues.

The pre-match talk was all about Pakistan’s fast men, but it’s been India’s pacers who dominated proceedings at the Sher-e-Bangla. Afridi’s men haven’t been too smart about their running between the wickets either.

PAK 58/7

Over 13 (2 runs)

M Sami 1* (5) | S Ahmed* 14* (16)

12.6: Ashwin to Sami, no run

12.5: Ashwin to Sami, no run

12.4: Ashwin to Sami, no run

12.3: Ashwin to Sarfraz, 1 run

12.2: Ashwin to Sami, 1 run

12.1: Ashwin to Sami, no run

Ravichandaran Ashwin has been brought into the attack.

Pakistan’s lowest score in T20s is 74, which came against Australia in 2012. Will they create a new, unflattering record today?

PAK 56/7

Over 12 (5 runs, 1 wicket)

S Ahmed 13* (15) | M Sami* 0* (0)

11.6: Jadeja to Sarfraz, 2 runs

11.5: Jadeja to Sarfraz, no run

11.5: Jadeja to Sami, (wd) + 1 run

11.4: Jadeja to Wahab, OUT! He tries to hit it hard and completely beaten by the length of the delivery. Trapped leg before. Departs on four.

11.3: Jadeja to Wahab, no run

11.2: Jadeja to Wahab, no run

11.1: Jadeja to Sarfraz, 1 run

Jadeja into the attack.

PAK 51/6

Over 11 (4 runs)

Wahab Riaz 4* (9) | S Ahmed* 10* (12)

10.6: Pandya to Wahab, no run

10.5: Pandya to Sarfraz, 1 run

10.4: Pandya to Wahab, 1 run

10.3: Pandya to Sarfraz, 1 run

10.2: Pandya to Sarfraz, no run

10.1: Pandya to Wahab, 1 run

Pandya continues.

PAK 47/6

Over 10 (4 runs)

Wahab Riaz* 2* (6) | S Ahmed 8* (9)

9.6: Yuvraj to Wahab, 1 run

9.5: Yuvraj to Wahab, no run

9.4: Yuvraj to Wahab, no run

9.3: Yuvraj to Sarfraz, 1 run

9.2: Yuvraj to Wahab, 1 run

9.1: Yuvraj to Sarfraz, 1 run

Yuvraj Singh into the attack now.

PAK 43/6

Over 9 (1 run)

Wahab Riaz 0* (2) | S Ahmed* 6* (7)

8.6: Pandya to Wahab, no run

8.5: Pandya to Wahab, no run

8.4: Pandya to Sarfraz, 1 run

8.3: Pandya to Sarfraz, no run

8.2: Pandya to Sarfraz, no run

8.1: Pandya to Sarfraz, no run

Pandya into the attack.

PAK 42/6

Over 8 (7 runs)

7.6 OUT! And Afridi’s run out! What’s happening here? What’s Pakistan’s lowest T20 score?

7.5 Sarfraz picks up a single

7.4 FOUR! Sarfraz cuts and the ball races to the point boundary

7.3 No run

7.2 Yuvraj to Afridi, the Pakistan captain picks up a single

7.1 OUT! Yuvraj picks up a wicket of his very first ball! The arm ball does the trick for Umar Akmal! Will Pakistan cross three figures?

PAK 35/4

Over 7 (3 runs)

Umar Akmal 0* (0) |

5.6: OUT! Malik throws his hands at the wide delivery and edges it to the keeper. Pakistan in big, big trouble now.

5.5: No run

5.4: No run. Malik clearly struggling here

5.3: No run, steered to third man

5.2: No run

5.1: Pandya to Akmal, and the batsman plays the pull off his very first ball for a couple of runs

PAK 32/3

Over 6 (4 runs)

Umar Akmal 0* (0) | S Malik* 4* (9)

5.6: No run. The ball angles in again and Malik manages to get some bat on it. Could have been a close call that

5.5: OUT! Khurram Manzoor has been done by the confusion here! Malik played it to the covers where Kohli picked it up and threw down the stumps in one motion. Khurram loses his bat and his wicket!

5.4: No run

5.3: The ball angles in and Malik plays another tentative shot

5.2: Loud appeal, but Malik survives

5.1: Bumrah to Malik, four leg byes!

PAK 28/2

Over 5 (2 runs)

K Manzoor 10* (18) | S Malik* 4* (3)

4.6: Nehra to Manzoor, no run

4.5: Nehra to Manzoor, no run

4.4: Nehra to Manzoor, big appeal there but umpire says not out. Dhoni cannot believe it.

4.3: Nehra to Manzoor, 2 runs

4.2: Nehra to Manzoor, no run

4.1: Nehra to Manzoor, no run

Nehra into his third over.

Sharjeel clearly doesn’t think so

PAK 26/2

Over 4 (8 runs, 1 wicket)

S Malik 4* (3) | K Manzoor* 8* (12)

3.6: Bumrah to Malik, no run

3.5: Bumrah to Malik, shortish on the off, Malik finds the gap on the off side and drives it for FOUR!

3.4: Bumrah to Shoaib Malik, no run

3.3: Bumrah to Sharjeel, outside edge and Rahane takes a fine catch at first slip. He departs on 7.

3.2: Bumrah to Sharjeel, no run

3.1: Bumrah to Sharjeel, shortish, the batsman hits it across the line. FOUR!

Bumrah continues.

PAK 18/1

Over 3 (13 runs)

K Manzoor 8* (12) | S Khan* 3* (2)

2.6: No run

2.5: (wd), no run

2.4: 3 runs. Shortish. Sharjeel pulls it on the leg. Bumrah does a good job at the field.

2.3: No run

2.2: 3 runs. Manzoor drives it through covers and a great piece of fielding by Jadeja. Save a run for his team.

2.1: (wd) + 1, FOUR! Manzoor clears his front leg and smacks it on the leg side. Powerful strike!

Nehra continues and PSL superstar Sharjeel Khan on strike.

PAK 5/1

Over 2 (0 runs)

K Manzoor 1* (8) | S Khan* 0* (0)

1.6: No run

1.5: No run

1.4: No run

1.3: No run

1.2: No run

1.1: No run

Bumrah shares the new ball.

Afridi and Dhoni were pretty relaxed before the match. How long will it last?

PAK 5/1

Over 1 (5 runs, 1 wicket)

K Manzoor* 1* (2) | S Khan 0* (0)

0.6: 1 run

0.5: No run

0.4: OUT! Ashish Nehra gets Hafeez. Typical dismissal it was. Too close to cut, Hafeez threw away his wicket. Dhoni takes a clean catch.

0.3: No run

0.2: FOUR! Hafeez plays this one on the up and the ball races to the boundary through the covers!

0.1: Ashish Nehra starts for India, and the full delivery dips in a bit. Mohammad Hafeez get a feel of things. No run

The majority perception, but wil lthe two teams live up to their ‘qualities’

A street vendor in Bangladesh sells the national flags of India and Pakistan ahead of the match between the two countries at the Asia Cup T20.

‘Not just Amir’: Rohit Sharma is focused on the whole Pakistan attack

“I have played Amir before. But I am preparing for all of them. It’s not about one individual. We have to be well prepared. We are up for the challenge and we will see what they have for us in store. I won’t focus on one bowler. They have a good bowling attack, so we will take all of them seriously,” Cricinfo quoted Sharma as saying.

The moment two countries come to a standstill

Here’s are two squads:

Pakistan

Khurram Manzoor, Sharjeel Khan, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Sarfraz Ahmed, Umar Akmal, Shahid Afridi, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Sami, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Irfan

India

RG Sharma, AM Rahane, V Kohli, SK Raina, Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni*†, HH Pandya, RA Jadeja, R Ashwin, JJ Bumrah, A Nehra

So the news from the center is that India have won the toss and put Pakistan into bat. Shahid Afridi will be employing four ‘genuine’ fast bowlers! Shikhar Dhawan is out for India, Ajinkya Rahane takes his place.

Remember the Pakistan-India bowl out at the 2007 World T20?

The Indian side oozes confidence

Pakistan reminds everyone of previous wins ─ and the divisive favourite Afridi.

With separate hashtags, both sides meme their pre-match excitement

Hours ahead of what is billed as the “ultimate” cricket showdown, Pakistani and Indian cricket lovers take to Twitter to have a little fun and do what they do best: hyperventilate, predict and indulge in some good old trolling.

Some people are way too excited

It is being dubbed as a contest between Pakistan’s bowlers and India’s batsmen. But beneath the many layers of obvious strengths and weaknesses, lies the ability of both teams to conjure up something special for the biggest battle in cricket.

It has been 377 days since the two teams last faced off in what was the 2015 World Cup’s most anticipated clash.

This time it is a battle for continental supremacy in the shortest format but their will be no shortage of fireworks as Pakistan and India meet in the Asia Cup T20 at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium, Mirpur on Saturday.

India’s strength lie in their strong batting order, with Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan at the top, Virat Kohli and Suresh Raina to follow, and then the floater: Yuvraj Singh.

Hardik Pandya if India would have a strategy to go aggressive right from the first ball, and Mahendra Singh Dhoni for all of that and everything else.

If too many quick wickets are lost early in the innings, then India has Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandaran Ashwin lower down to prop things up.

Pakistan, meanwhile, has a five-man pace battery, bowlers of such ability that Shahid Afridi would be hard-pressed to decide who to leave out.

During the New Zealand series last month, Anwar Ali, Mohammad Amir and Wahab Riaz were responsible to lead Pakistan’s pace attack. But now it seems Afridi won’t be out of options.

In place of Umar Gul, who failed to impress selectors to be considered for Pakistan squad, Mohammad Irfan will be there. And to add to the already strong bowling attack, Pakistan has, in their ranks, Mohammad Sami, too — a last-minute replacement for injured Rumman Raees.