The countdown to the Asia Cup 2022 has begun, and special attention is being paid to the match between arch-rivals India and Pakistan, which are set to take on each other on August 28. The focus will be on the former Indian skipper Virat Kohli, who is back to the Indian team after the break. Kohli has been being cornered for his form issues for a long time now. Even when he decided to skip the West Indies T20I series, many questions were raised. Besides all, he is being back to the T20 side of team India.
Virat Kohli has so far played four matches against Pakistan in the T20I World Cup, in which his performance and stats are just fantabulous. 78 not out in 68 balls, 36 not out of 32, 55 not out of 37, and 57 of 49. Just look at those numbers, not out on three occasions and three half-centuries.
India Vs Pakistan 2012 T20 World Cup (Sri Lanka): Virat Kohli’s first T20 World Cup, and match against Pakistan. Young passionate Virat Kohli with his second half-century in the fourth match of the tournament, single-handedly won India by 8 wickets. He was the only one in the match to score a half-ton. He scored 78* off 68 balls.
With the ball in his hands, he took a crucial wicket of the Pakistani opener, Mohammad Hafeez. He was elected as the player of the Match.
India Vs Pakistan 2014 T20 World Cup (Bangladesh): 2 years later, the T20 world cup in Bangladesh, but the story is identical. This time also, Pakistan while batting first got out on a low total, and in the chase, India easily won the match by keeping seven wickets in hand in which Virat Kohli scored 36, the highest individual score of the match. Umar Gul was the one, taken into remand by Indian batters.
India Vs Pakistan 2016 T20 World Cup (India): This time the World Cup was held in India, but just like the last two times, Pakistan made a very small total of 118 while batting first. And the Indian chase master Kohli once again was the highest scorer of the game with a half-century. Not out at 55 in just 37 balls, seven 4s, and one 6 included. India won the game by 6 wickets at ease. Another Player of the match to his name.
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India Vs Pakistan 2021 T20 World Cup (Dubai): The one and only time India lost to Pakistan in World Cup was this one. Pakistan won the flip of the coin and opted to bowl first. Two early wickets dropped India to the backfoot, then skipper Virat Kohli took the charge and scored a well-needed half-century, 57 of 49, the highest scorer from the Indian side, and got out to Shaheen Shah. Batting second, Pakistani captain Babar Azam and wicketkeeper-batsman MD Rizwan did the job without losing a wicket.
Ind- 151/7 and Pak- 152/0
It is crystal clear that Virat Kohli is very fond of the Pakistani bowling lineup, so now all eyes are on India vs Pakistan match to be held in the Asia Cup on August 28, in which everyone hoping that Kohli will regain his form and will maintain a good performance against Pakistan. So fingers crossed and hoping for the best.
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