India vs Pakistan – A T20 World Cup 2022 Thriller for the Ages
The India vs Pakistan clash in the T20 World Cup 2022 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on October 23, 2022, turned out to be one of the most thrilling encounters in the history of the tournament. In front of a packed stadium of over 90,000 fans, India pulled off an unbelievable last-ball victory, thanks to a Virat Kohli masterclass.
Match Summary:
Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)
Date: October 23, 2022
Toss: India won and opted to bowl
Result: India won by 4 wickets
Pakistan’s Innings: (159/8 in 20 overs)
After being put in to bat, Pakistan faced early struggles but recovered through crucial contributions from their middle order.
Key Performances:
Iftikhar Ahmed – 51 (34)
Shan Masood – 52* (42)
Haris Rauf & Naseem Shah – Troubled India’s top order with early wickets
Pakistan finished with 159/8 after 20 overs, setting a challenging target for India.
India’s Chase: (160/6 in 20 overs)
India had a nightmare start, losing their top order early:
31/4 in 6.1 overs, with KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Axar Patel dismissed cheaply.
Virat Kohli’s Heroics:
Kohli (82 off 53 balls)* played one of the greatest T20 innings ever.
He built a 113-run partnership with Hardik Pandya (40 off 37).
The turning point: Kohli's unbelievable straight six off Haris Rauf in the 19th over.
Final Over Drama (Bowled by Mohammad Nawaz):
India needed 16 runs off the last over, and the tension was sky-high:
1. Wide & single – 15 needed off 5
2. Hardik Pandya out – 14 needed off 4
3. Kohli’s no-ball six – 6 runs + free hit (7 needed off 3)
4. Byes on free hit (bowled out but ran 3) – 4 needed off 2
5. Single from Dinesh Karthik – 3 needed off 1
6. Wide under pressure – 2 needed off 1
7. Ashwin’s cool finish with a lofted single – India won!
Match Impact & Reactions:
Virat Kohli: “This is my best T20 innings ever.”
Sachin Tendulkar: “This chase by Virat Kohli was simply magnificent.”
Fans & experts hailed it as one of the best matches in T20 World Cup history.
This India vs Pakistan thriller was more than just a match—it was a nerve-wracking battle of skill, resilience, and high-pressure moments, proving once again why this rivalry is one of the biggest in cricket.
Virat Kohli's performance against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup 2022 was one of the greatest innings in T20 cricket history. He played a match-winning knock in the India vs Pakistan clash at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on October 23, 2022.
Partnership with Hardik Pandya: Crucial 113-run stand
Impact: Kohli led India’s comeback from 31/4 while chasing 160.
Key Moments of Kohli’s Innings:
1. Anchor Role: With wickets falling early, Kohli stabilized the innings alongside Hardik Pandya.
2. Acceleration: He shifted gears in the last few overs, hitting key boundaries.
3. Iconic Shots:
The straight six off Haris Rauf (19th over): A standout moment of the match.
Back-to-back sixes in the 19th over: Turned the game in India’s favor.
4. Final Over Drama: India needed 16 runs off the last over. Kohli’s composure and crucial runs helped India secure victory.
Post-Match Reactions:
Kohli called it his best T20 innings ever.
The cricketing world hailed it as one of the greatest chases in T20 World Cup history.
Former players, including Sachin Tendulkar, praised Kohli’s ability to handle pressure.
This innings reaffirmed Kohli’s reputation as a chase master and cemented his legacy in India vs Pakistan World Cup clashes.
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