Virat Kohli's swashbuckling innings helps India defeat Pakistan

India maintained their WIN record over arch-rivals Pakistan in ICC events with a six wicket victory at the ongoing World T20 campaign. Thanks to Kohli, the man-in-form belted 7 fours and a six to score an unbeaten 55 runs of 37 balls. 

This was also Kohli's third successive half-century in T20 format. India were struggling at 23 for 3, and with Yuvraj Singh (24), he added 61 runs for the fourth wicket. Raina was bowled for a first-ball duck by Mohammad Sami.

Earlier the hosts won the toss and elected to bowl. India bowled quite well and Pakistan could manage only 118 for five in the 18 over game at a turning track at the Eden Gardens. Shoaib Malik top scored for Pakistan with 26 runs.

This was India's 11th straight win over Pakistan in the ICC World tournaments. This win also India's first win against Pakistan at the Eden Gardens. 

Kohli swept Malik for a six and a boundary in the 11th over and got the match in India's favour. Captain cool, Dhoni joined the party when he hit a massive six. He got a single to finish the match in the 16th over.

[India 119 for 4 (Kohli 55 no.), Pakistan 118 for 5 (Malik 26)] 

'Shame on you' Javed Miandad lashes out at Afridi

Boom Boom Shahid Afridi has caused uproar among his countrymen when he said he is loved by Indian crowds more than crowds back home in Pakistan. Team Pakistan reached India amidst high security on Saturday after getting permission from their government to play in the tournament.

Afridi and Miandad in 2010. Image: Getty

The Pakistan versus India match which was originally scheduled at Dharamshala (security concerns) has been relocated to Kolkata.

Attempting to play down, Afridi said: "We are cricketers and not politicians. "We have always enjoyed playing in India and have been loved by Indian crowds more than crowds back home in Pakistan," he added, with fellow veteran Shoaib Malik reportedly echoing the sentiment. "Cricket has always brought people together and I think politics should be kept away from cricket."

"These cricketers should be ashamed of themselves for saying such a thing. Shame on you," Miandad said on the Aaj TV network.  "What have the Indians given us? Speak the truth even while in India. "For the last five years what have they given us or done with Pakistan cricket? "Having served Pakistan cricket for so many years I am shocked and hurt to hear such comments from our players." India and Pakistan square off in Kolkata this Saturday, March 19.

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