Asia Cup 2022

Virat Kohli, who had been battling poor form and was unable to score a century since November 2019, fired a warning to rival teams ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup in Australia in October-November, smashing a 61-ball unbeaten 122 as India defeated Afghanistan by 101 runs.

Asif was found to have breached Article 2.6 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to "using a gesture that is obscene, offensive or insulting during an International Match". On the other hand, Fareed was found to have breached Article 2.1.12, which relates to "inappropriate physical contact with a Player, Player Support Personnel.

After being given Player of the Match award, Kohli had no qualms in admitting that going back to the drawing board in his one-and-a-half months away from the game led to him coming back fresh and excited. The unbeaten 122 against Afghanistan was Kohli's first international century since scoring one in India's first-ever pink-ball match against Bangladesh in Kolkata in November 2019.

In a dead rubber, talismanic batter Virat Kohli gave Indian fans tons of reasons to be happy. As captain Rohit Sharma was rested, Kohli was promoted to open the batting. What followed next was something which anyone could have predicted, leaving Kohli himself surprised. Kohli ended his drought of not scoring a century in international cricket for 1020 days with a sensational career-best 122 off just 61 balls.

The star batter, Virat Kohli who opened the batting with Rohit Sharma rested, put on a quickfire stand of 119 runs with KL Rahul for the opening wicket, before going berserk toward the end to get to the big milestone in 53 balls to continue his impressive run of form since his return to Team India in the continental tournament.

"The All-India Senior Selection Committee has named Deepak Chahar as replacement for Avesh Khan for Team India's final fixture of the Asia Cup 2022. Avesh Khan is recovering from an illness and has been advised rest by the BCCI Medical Team," said the BCCI in an official update.

Pakistan, who had to win the match to put India out of contention, needed 20 off 10 balls with two wickets in hand when Naseem Shah walked out to the middle. The tailender, who had only ever faced one ball in T20Is before this, had the experienced Asif Ali at the other end and he quickly turned over the strike to his more senior teammate.

After this win, Pakistan will now face Sri Lanka in the final of the Asia Cup. On the other hand, it was curtains for Afghanistan and India - as both teams lost their two consecutive Super Four matches and will now face each other in a dead rubber on Thursday. After winning toss and opting to bowl first, the likes of Haris Rauf (2/26) while Naseem Shah (1/19), Mohammad Nawaz (1/23), Shadab Khan (1/27), Mohammad Hasnain (1/34) produced a terrific bowling performance and helped Pakistan restrict Afghanistan to 129-6 in 20 overs.

Pakistan survived a scare and held their nerves to beat Afghanistan by one wicket in a thrilling Super Four match to reach the final of the Asia Cup 2022 and knock India out of the tournament at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Wednesday. After this win, Pakistan will now face Sri Lanka in the final of the Asia Cup. On the other hand, it was curtains for Afghanistan and India - as both teams lost their two consecutive  Super Four matches and will now face each other in a dead rubber on Thursday. As per Afghan skipper, he knew that chasing 130 wasn't going to be easy on that pitch. 

Pakistan, who won their last game against India, didn't make any change in their team for this clash.  "We are going to bowl first. The pitch looks like nice and the second thing is dew factor, that's why we are bowling first. Hopefully we pick early wickets and restrict them. The mood is cool and calm, and we will try to continue that momentum. A win always gives you confidence. We have the same team," said Babar at the toss.