kohli: Asia Cup 2022: Kohli’s sensational 122, Bhuvneshwar’s five-fer help India thrash Afghanistan by 101 runs

Already out of the tournament, India signed off on a high from the 2022 Asia Cup after beating Afghanistan by 101 runs in their final Super Four match at the Dubai International Stadium on Thursday.

In a dead rubber, talismanic batsman Virat Kohli gave Indian fans many reasons to rejoice. As soon as captain Rohit Sharma was rested, Kohli was promoted to open the batting. What happened after that was something anyone could have predicted, leaving Kohli himself astonished.

Kohli ended his drought of not scoring a century in international cricket for 1020 days, scoring a sensational career-best 122 off just 61 balls, with 12 fours and six sixes, at a strike-rate of 200.

After a scintillating 119 off 76 balls by stand-in captain KL Rahul, Kohli was astonishingly quick to score 59 off 40 balls and scored his next 63 off just 21 balls to score his 71st international. century. On the basis of Kohli’s century, India made a huge score of 212/2.

Then, senior pacer Bhuvneshwar’s 5/4 spell, with lots of swing and consistently hitting the right areas, put an end to Afghanistan’s challenge, eventually restricting them to 111/8 in 20 overs.

It was a day of forgetfulness for Afghanistan, who entered the game less than 24 hours after a wicket was broken against Pakistan in Sharjah. He dropped catches including Kohli for 28, he looked tired and just not doing his best.

After getting no boundaries in the first two overs, India went ahead as Rahul and Kohli hit a boundary each off the leg-side of Fazlhaq Farooqui. Rahul then pulled Mujeeb ur Rahman from backward square leg and pulled Fareed Ahmed for a four.

Kohli got into offensive mode by sending Mujeeb for fours from down the ground and sweeping through backward square leg, before smashing a six to the ground before ending the powerplay on high.

After the power-play, Rahul pulled Rashid Khan over deep mid-wicket for six overs, while Kohli was dropped for 28 as Ibrahim Zadran smashed Mohammad Nabi over the boundary rope for six more. Stopped coming out.

Kohli looked in dazzling touch, scaffolding inside-out at extra cover was the standout as he reached his fifty in 32 balls. In the next over, Rahul scored a half-century off Nabi with the help of pull and loft in 36 balls.

But to go big, Rahul pulls off Ahmed’s cross-seam ball and flies it towards top-edge long-on. On the very first ball, Suryakumar Yadav hit a six at fine leg. But on the very next ball, he cut Ahmed’s stumps.

Kohli continued to impress against spin in his innings, dismissing Rashid for a six over deep mid-wicket. He then proceeded with successive flicks for fours off Ahmed and hit fours off the off-side off Farooqui.

After slamming Ahmed into the field in the 19th over, Kohli scored his maiden T20I century in 53 balls, hitting a six at deep mid-wicket for six. Farooqui came in for more threshing in the final over as Kohli hit him for sixes at long-off and deep mid-wicket and smashed a boundary through cover to collect 18 runs in the final over.

His unbeaten 122, a mix of classic and brutal cricketing shots at the same time, came in at a strike-rate of 200, which is also the highest score by an Indian male batsman in T20Is. Kohli now joins former Australia captain Ricky Ponting to score 71 international hundreds, which is joint second on 100 led by batting great Sachin Tendulkar.

With the ball, Bhuvneshwar was right on the money from the word go, shaping a back to trap Hazratullah Zazai lbw. Two balls later, he produced a full Jaffa to shatter the stumps of Rahmanullah Gurbaz and sent both the openers back to the pavilion in the opening over.

Swinging the ball both ways and consistently pitching in the right areas, Bhuvneshwar was making the Afghanistan batsmen dance to his tune. Karim Janat gave a thick lead at first slip on the outswinger, while Najibullah Zadran missed his flick and went lbw on the inswinger.

After Arshdeep Singh dismissed Nabi lbw, Bhuvneshwar completed his five-wicket haul by chopping a finger ball to direct cover to Azmatullah Omerzai. Rashid hit two fours before Deepak Hooda got deep out on the first ball.

Jadran hit some boundaries while Mujeeb played a long innings against Ravichandran Ashwin. Though Mujeeb was eventually cast by Ashwin, Jadran completed his half-century with a six off Dinesh Karthik in the final over. But, by then, the outcome was predetermined.

Brief Scores: India 212/2 in 20 overs (Virat Kohli 122 not out, KL Rahul 62; Fareed Malik 2/57) beat Afghanistan to 111/8 in 20 overs (Ibrahim Zadran 64 not out, Mujeeb ur Rahman 18; Bhuvneshwar Kumar 5) Defeated. /4, Deepak Hooda 1/3) by 101 runs.

Originally published at Pen 18

VIRAT KOHLI: Virat Kohli returns to the top of the order for the 9th time in T20Is

The cricketing world witnessed a sight that was reserved for a close friend of family and friends for three years. Reaching his first international century in 1020 days, Virat Kohli paused for a moment, and his face lit up in a smile whose brilliance matched the dazzling lights of the Ring of Fire in Dubai.

With Rohit Sharma being rested for the match, Kohli returned to the top order for the 9th time in T20Is. Kohli took a few balls to read 1, dot, dot, dot, 1 in his first five balls, but very quickly turned into positive mode. In the sixth over of the innings, Mujeeb-ur-Rahman got a taste of the impending mayhem, went past mid-off, swept over square-leg for a boundary and then climbed to long-on for six. Kohli committed a mistake in the eighth over.

A short ball from Nabi sticks into the pitch after a touch and Kohli’s pull goes straight to the fielder over midwicket. Ibrahim Zadran, stationed there for the incident, misjudged the offer, and only managed to pass the ball over the ropes as a football goalkeeper. Over the past weeks and months, this little piece of luck has escaped Kohli, and his first mistake, more often than not, has been his last. What Kohli did well that day was to touch his shots so that he got maximum value every time.

When he hit the ball from the side, he used his wrist to make sure the ball wasn’t just hit well, it escaped the fielder. Kohli reached his half-century off the last ball of the 11th over, and though it was day time, he had enough time to end the century drought, even as his teammate KL Rahul lost his wicket. . Kohli was in no mood to leave the crease, even if the match ended a bit with both Afghanistan and India crashing out of the final race.

It was left-arm pacer Fareed Ahmed, who was on the receiving end, a short ball was pulled over midwicket for six, taking Kohli to figures of three. It is hardly a surprise that Afghanistan exploded. But, few will remember the margin of victory, as Kohli made the day good and truly his own.

Brief scores India 212/2 (Kohli 122*, Rahul 62; Farid 2/57) beat Afghanistan 111/8 (Ibrahim 64*; Bhuvneshwar 5/4) by 101 runs

Originally published at Pen 18

India-Pakistan cricket match: UK police issue appeal after India-Pakistan cricket match related unrest

The police force issued an appeal on Thursday after days of unrest following clashes in the east England city of Leicester in the wake of an India-Pakistan Asia Cup cricket match late last month.

Leicestershire Police released photos of four people they say may have information in relation to an incident on August 28, a report of an attack among a crowd celebrating after the conclusion of an India vs Pakistan cricket match is included.

Earlier, the police had imposed a temporary dispersal order till Thursday after a few days of unrest involving local Hindu and Muslim groups.

Leicestershire Police said of the incident last Sunday, “Officers ran in the area of ​​Melton Road, Shaftesbury Avenue and Belgrave Road. There, it was reported that both a member of the public and an officer had been attacked.” ,

“It is believed that those shown may have information regarding some incident,” the police said in its appeal.

A 28-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of assaulting and assaulting an emergency worker and has since been released “under investigation”.

On Thursday, a 19-year-old man was also arrested on suspicion of violent disorder in connection with the incident and is in police custody.

In addition to the dispersal order under the UK’s Anti-Social Behavior, Crime and Police Act, the Chief Superintendent of the Leicestershire Police, Adam Slonecki, also called for officers to stop and locate anyone in a specific area without requiring reasonable grounds under criminal justice and public order. Gave the permission to. act.

Tensions have escalated since the match, with mobile phone footage of the incident showing a fight. In the days following the incident, police conducted special patrols in the area and emergency meetings were held to appeal for peace.

Leicester Mayor Peter Solsby said in an appeal to the ITV channel, “Enjoy cricket, enjoy it if your team wins, but don’t use it as an excuse or an opportunity to provoke things that are clearly Our cities are not in Leicester.” for calm.

The Council of Faiths, the Federation of Muslim Organizations (FMO) and the local charity Mr. Lohana Mahajan, which represents Hindus and Jains in Leicester, have all raised concerns about the ongoing tension.

“It is important that we do not allow the actions of a minority group of people to cause disruption or division,” the Council of Faiths said in a statement.

Originally published at Pen 18

Virat Kohli 71st Century: Kohli hits 71st international hundred to power India to 212/2

Virat Kohli scored his maiden century since November 2019 as India smashed 212 for two against Afghanistan in an Asia Cup Super 4 match here on Thursday. Opening the innings, Rahul, who came to bat, scored 62 runs in 41 balls, while Kohli remained unbeaten on 122 runs in 61 balls.

Both laid the foundation for the total score by sharing 119 runs for the opening wicket.

Brief Scores:

India: 212 for 2 in 20 overs (Virat Kohli 122 not out, KL Rahul 62; Farid Ahmed 2/57).

Originally published at Pen 18

Pakistan Cricket Board: No place for hooliganism in cricket, says PCB chief Ramiz Raja

Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ramiz Raja on Thursday said there is no place for hooliganism in the gentleman’s game and blamed Afghanistan fans for an off-field brawl between supporters of the two countries after the Asia Cup match in Sharjah.

Fans of Pakistan and Afghanistan were literally drawn in after the former’s one-wicket win in a Super 4 match on Wednesday.

The trigger for the controversy on Wednesday was physically sharpened by Pakistan batsman Asif Ali Getter with Farid Ahmed in an in-your-face celebration after the former’s dismissal.

That’s what Afghan fans are doing. This is what he has done many times in the past. This is a game and its su… https://t.co/YcUqj2xHSh

— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) 1662577472000

An angry PCB chief said he would lodge a protest with the ICC and Asian cricket bodies, including the Emirates Cricket Board, over the event.

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“There is no place for hooliganism in cricket. Afghanistan as a nation, the team has to control their emotions in order to move forward. It was a great match, both the teams fought hard but there was a need for such scenes after the match. There was no need.” Rameez said in a press conference.

This was not the first time such an incident had happened. During last year’s T20 World Cup and 2019 ODI World Cup also, the fans of both the teams were blown away.

Ramiz said, “The scenes we saw after the match are not particularly good advertisements for cricket. This has happened before and this is not the first time and it is something that all cricketing nations have to see. ”

He said that victory and defeat are part of a game but fans should learn to control their emotions.

“We are the owners of our cricket team and our fans and therefore we will talk to the ICC and other relevant bodies on this issue.”

Rameez also praised the performance of the Pakistan team in the Asia Cup.

“I think our team needs to stop giving us and the fans so many heart attacks. But we all know now that if our team loses a match, it won’t do it without a fight and that’s it. We want that in our cricket,” he said.

“The fans now own this team and that gives me satisfaction. These players have really made us proud.”

The PCB chief said he would seek answers from the team doctor, physio and trainer on Shaheen Shah Afridi’s knee injury and fitness issues and other problems during the Asia Cup.

“With the facilities available in modern cricket nowadays, it is unforgivable for players to have cramps during matches, even if they are playing in the UAE in the off-season and the weather is hot. We will definitely question the team management on this when the team returns home.”

Ramiz also said that the PCB will put in place the latest machines required to rehabilitate the players.

“I think it’s something we should have done a long time ago. But now we’re getting there.”

Originally published at Pen 18

Javed Miandad to Naseem Shah: Pakistan's five six-shooting heroes

Pakistan fast bowler Naseem Shah smashed Afghanistan’s left-arm fast bowler Fazlhaq Farooqui for consecutive sixes in the last over on September 7 to take his team to the final of the Asia Cup in a thrilling encounter. Let’s take a look at five memorable sixes in Pakistan’s cricket history:

Originally published at Pen 18

pakistan: Pakistan beat Afghanistan by one wicket to qualify for Asia Cup final, India out of contention

Right-arm pacer Naseem Shah hit two sixes in the final over as Pakistan thrashed Afghanistan by one wicket in an Asia Cup Super 4 match to knock India out of the tournament on Wednesday.

Afghanistan captured the match firmly till the last over, reducing Pakistan to 118 for nine. But, Naseem had other plans as he smashed Fazlhaq Farooqui for two consecutive sixes and kept both Afghanistan and India out of the reckoning for the final berth.

With two wins in the same number of matches, both Pakistan and Sri Lanka have confirmed their place in the final of the tournament to be held on Sunday.

India and Afghanistan will face off in their final Super 4 match on Thursday, which has become irrelevant.

After suffering another failure to the batsman after he was dismissed lbw by Fazlhaq Farooqui (3/31) on the second ball of the innings, after losing early to captain Babar Azam (0), Pakistan had a tough time during their chase. had time.

To make matters worse for Pakistan, Fakhar Zaman (5) was run out on the first ball of the fourth over by a straight throw from Najibullah Zadran.

Afghanistan got the upper hand when Rashid Khan (2/25) trapped in-form Mohammad Rizwan (20) in front of the wicket with a ball that was about to hit the middle stump, leaving the batsman on his back foot. fell. After pitching just outside the off stump.

On the backfoot after losing three key batsmen, Shadab Khan (36) took the attack on the opposition and broke the chains in the 12th over with Mohammad Nabi hitting a six and a boundary.

Shadab was at his attack best as he slammed Mujeeb over the long-on boundary to turn the equation down.

Farid Ahmed (3/31) brought Afghanistan back into the match by breaking the dangerous 45-run fifth-wicket stand between Iftikhar Ahmed (30) and Shadab.

Ifitkhar pulled a slow short delivery straight into the hands of Ibrahim Zadran as the batsman failed to gain any height.

In the new man, Mohammad Nawaz made his intentions clear and another short delivery from Ahmed drives the wicketkeeper to the third man boundary.

But Shadab looked in ominous form as he swung Rashid over the boundary to ease the pressure.

However, Rashid had the last laugh as he dismissed Shadab at short-third man with a thick delivery to Ajmatullah Omerzai on the next ball.

But there was hardly any respite for Rashid as Asif Ali hit him for another six off the very next ball.

Two wickets in the 18th over bowled by Fazlhaq Farooqui turned the match in Afghanistan’s favour.

He first dismissed Nawaz and then defended Khushdil Shah as Pakistan lost the plot.

Farid Ahmed then cleaned up Haris Rauf on the first ball of the next over, as Pakistan were reduced to 110 for eight.

Farid Ahmed gave another blow to Pakistan by taking the crucial wicket of Asif Ali in the last ball of the 19th over.

With 11 needed in the final over, Naseem Shah showed his batting prowess for back-to-back sixes off Fazlhaq Farooqui to seal the match in Pakistan’s favour.

Earlier, Pakistan bowled brilliantly to restrict Afghanistan to 129 for six.

Afghanistan started on a positive note with Hazratullah Zazai (21) and wicketkeeper Rahmanullah Gurbaz (17) being sent to bat with a 36-run partnership for the first wicket.

After an opening over, Afghanistan made 16 runs in the next over with Gurbaz hitting Mohammad Hasnain for successive sixes.

Zazai equalized his teammate by finding two boundaries in the next over before Haris Rauf clean bowled Gurbaz on the fifth ball of the fourth over.

Despite the wickets falling, Zazai continued his aggressive vein, hitting Hasnain for a boundary before being destroyed in the fifth delivery by the bowler tossed him with a deceptively slow delivery.

Karim Janat (15) and Ibrahim Zadran (35 off 37) then tried to steady the ship as Afghanistan reached 72 for two in 10 overs.

Barely to score, Janat tried to force the pace of the innings but in vain as he was dismissed in the 12th over by Fakhar Zaman while trying an extraordinary slog sweep off Mohammad Nawaz.

Najibullah Zadran (10) started his innings in fine fashion before the spinner had the last laugh, hitting Shadab Khan over deep midwicket.

It got even worse for Afghanistan when Mohammad Nabi disturbed his rhythm for a first-ball duck with Naseem Shah on the next ball.

However, Ibrahim Zadran continued to play his aggressive shot and in the next over, Shadab was hit over the cover fence.

Jadran’s innings was cut short by Rauf (2/26) in the next over when the batsman slammed a delivery behind the stumps to Mohammad Rizwan.

In the last over, Rashid Khan (18 not out) made excellent use of his long handle and smashed Rauf for a six and a boundary to score 10 runs to take Afghanistan close to 130 runs.

Originally published at Pen 18