Senior Team India batsman Virat Kohli could prove to be a pivotal factor in determining the outcome of the highly anticipated clash between India and Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2023. The match is scheduled to take place at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Saturday, September 2. This encounter marks the first meeting between the two teams since their intense battle during the T20 World Cup 2022 at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
During the previous showdown at the MCG, Kohli showcased his exceptional skills and emerged as the standout performer. His remarkable display of batting prowess resulted in one of the most memorable T20I innings ever witnessed. In pursuit of a challenging target of 160 runs, the Men in Blue faced a disastrous start, losing their first four wickets with a mere 31 runs on the scoreboard.
However, Kohli, alongside the talented all-rounder Hardik Pandya (40 off 37), orchestrated a remarkable partnership of 113 runs for the fifth wicket. Despite the mounting pressure, Kohli exhibited his sheer brilliance by unleashing a flurry of incredible strokes, ultimately securing victory for his team with an unbeaten 82 runs off just 53 deliveries, sealing the win on the very last ball.
As India and Pakistan prepare to face each other once again in the upcoming clash at Pallekele, it is imperative to examine Kohli's track record against Pakistan in the Asia Cup.
Virat Kohli's record vs PAK in Asia Cup (ODI and T20I)
Virat Kohli has participated in three matches against Pakistan in the Asia Cup, specifically in the one-day format. Throughout these encounters, he has impressively accumulated a total of 206 runs, boasting an outstanding average of 68.66.
However, it is his remarkable performance in the 2012 edition held in Mirpur that truly stands out. On that memorable occasion, the Indian batsman showcased his exceptional skills by smashing an incredible 183 runs off just 148 balls. With a display of sheer dominance, Kohli struck an astonishing 22 fours and a six, leading the Men in Blue to a comfortable victory as they effortlessly chased down a challenging target of 330 runs in a mere 47.5 overs. Ultimately, India emerged triumphant, securing a resounding six-wicket win.
In his previous two One Day International (ODI) innings against Pakistan in the Asia Cup, Virat Kohli scored 18 runs in Dambulla back in 2010, and 5 runs in Mirpur during the 2014 edition. Impressively, Kohli has participated in a total of 11 matches in the Asia Cup one-dayers, accumulating a remarkable 613 runs with an average of 61.30, including three centuries.
Furthermore, Kohli has also showcased his skills in the T20 International (T20I) format against Pakistan in the Asia Cup. Despite being 34 years old, he has managed to score 144 runs in three matches, maintaining an average of 48. Specifically, he achieved a score of 49 in Mirpur in 2016, and 35 and 60 in Dubai during the 2022 edition.
When considering his overall performance, the former India captain has participated in 10 matches in the Asia Cup T20I format, establishing an outstanding record. He has accumulated an impressive total of 429 runs, boasting a brilliant average of 85.80.
Notably, Kohli's exceptional talent was on full display when he smashed his maiden T20I century, marking his first in international cricket in over 1000 days. This remarkable feat was achieved during the 2022 edition of the Asia Cup, where he scored an unbeaten 122 runs off just 61 balls against Afghanistan in Dubai.
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