Virat Kohli looked at his best. The run-machine smashed the Pakistani bowlers for regular boundaries, hustled for quick twos and anchored India’s innings at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday. 

Batting first in the Asia Cup 2022 Super 4 tie, India posted 181 runs in 20 overs. Kohli was the team’s highest run-scorer at 60 off 44. For Pakistan, Shadab Khan picked up two wickets for 31 runs, while Mohammad Hasnain, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah and Mohammad Nawaz took a wicket each.

Also read: Asia Cup 2022: Was Rohit Sharma yelling at Rishabh Pant? Fans wonder

India had gotten off to a flying start when Kohli came in to bat. The team were batting at 54 runs after five overs. The 33-year-old joined KL Rahul and then Suryakumar Yadav to boost the run rate. The former was dismissed in the seventh over as the latter, Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya got out in quick succession. 

However, Kohli held on to the other end. Deepak Hooda was dismissed for 16 runs off 14 balls. 

Also read: Watch: Hardik dismissed for two-ball duck vs Pakistan in Asia Cup 2022

Kohli brought his half-century in 36 balls. He smashed a 149kmph Mohammad Hasnain full delivery for a six over cow corner to reach the landmark. 

He then batted for eight more balls, scoring seven runs. Kohli was run out in the last over. 

The former India captain has now smashed back-to-bak fifties in the ongoing Asia Cup and is the leading run-scorer in the tournament. He had scored an unbeaten 59 off 42 balls against Hong Kong. In the first game vs Pakistan, he hit 35 runs. 

Kohli’s scores in Asia Cup 2022:

35(34)

59*(42)

60(44)

The run-machine has scored 562 runs in 10 games against Pakistan. He averages 80.28, with a highest of 78 not out. 

Also read: Asia Cup 2022: Rishabh Pant out for 14 off 12, fails to use opportunity vs Pakistan

Virat Kohli in the last 10 innings against Pakistan:-

36*, 107, 55*, 49, 81*, 5, 77, 57, 35, 60

Innings – 10

Runs – 562

Average – 80.28