http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 v Pakistan – Asia Cup (5th ODI) – Match Recap – Virat Kohli stars in Pak-India stunner
Marking a remarkable recovery from their 5-wicket defeat at the hands of Bangladesh, the belligerent http://www.senore.com/Cricket/V-Kohli-c2737 powered team India to victory in a record 330-run chase against Pakistan in the 5th match of the ongoing Asia Cup on March 18, 2012,
at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.
Pakistan looked to be in control after winning the toss and choosing to bat. All-rounder http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755’s second-highest opening stand ever, and their highest
against India.
As Jamshed (112) and Hafeez (105) both reached the three-digit mark (with http://www.senore.com/Cricket/RD-Shah-c2298
Ashwin.
After Hafeez was dismissed by Dinda, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Younis-Khan-c98325 (52) joined forces for a 48-run stand, and with no more notable performances to follow, the Men In Green reached 329 by the end of 50 overs, at the expense of 6 wickets.
The Indian bowlers were lackluster, conceding unnecessary runs as they struggled to take wickets. Kumar managed two scalps, but at the expense of 77 runs in 10 overs. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Irfan-Pathan-c1601 also continued his dismal streak – after having taken 0 for 61 in the last
match, he took out the hard-hitting http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ashok-Dinda-c1098 displayed a comparatively better performance, claiming 2 for 47 in 8 overs.
When it came to batting however, India made light work of their highest-ever ODI chase, courtesy their young vice-captain Kohli.
After the initial set-back of the loss of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Saeed-Ajmal-c87859,
who had taken the veteran batsman out during the last Pak-India clash in the semi-final at Mohali last year.
After Ajmal dismissed the Little Master in the 20th over at 52, youngster http://www.senore.com/Cricket/RG-Sharma-c2309 stepped up to replace him, and his 172-run partnership with Kohli was India’s highest in the match. Sharma went on to rack up a 68, but it was Kholi’s stellar
183 which stole the show – not only was it his career-best, it also topped the Asia Cup records for the highest all-time score. The ton marked the 23-year-old’s 3rd century in the last four innings he has played, including his valiant 133 in India’s
last Commonwealth Bank series match against Sri Lanka, in Hobart last month.
Once Kohli was caught out by Hafeez off Gul, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/SK-Raina-c2539 and skipper Dhoni only needed to contribute a couple of runs to take their team to victory. With 12 runs required from 18 balls, a single, a wide ball, a six by Raina, and a final four by Dhoni in
the 48th over got the Men In Blue to 330 with 13 deliveries remaining.
The Pakistani bowlers matched their Indian counterparts for their apathetic performances. Pacer http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Aizaz-Cheema-c961 took 0 for 60. Afridi was similarly disappointing, with 0 for 58, and Gul took 2, but
at the expense of 65 runs. Hafeez and Ajmal were considerably more economical, with the former taking 1 for 42, while the latter claimed 1 for 49.
Despite their defeat, Pakistan did not lose by a bonus point, which puts them through to the Asia Cup final. The fate of India and Bangladesh rests on the upcoming match between the host team and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758, who are already out of contention for the final.
Should http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Bangladesh-c747 succeed on Tuesday, the Men In Blue’s efforts against Pakistan will have been in vain.
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