Asia Cup 2022

Kohli dropped anchor for India from No.3, compiling his 32nd T20I fifty (60 off 44) to lead India to 181/7 in 20 overs. After Rohit Sharma and K.L Rahul put on a blazing fifty-stand for the opening wicket, Kohli walked in and started positively, moving to 15 off 10 balls despite India losing Rahul shortly after Rohit's wicket. With Suryakumar Yadav also falling cheaply, Kohli resorted to a more restrained approach, running quickly between the wickets and keeping the scoreboard ticking.

Kohli, in a prolonged lean patch seen from him not scoring a century in international cricket since November 2019, began Asia Cup 2022 with a crucial 35 in the thrilling five-wicket win over Pakistan in India's first Group A match. He then scored an unbeaten 59 in India's second Group A win over Hong Kong. "Virat Kohli looks a lot calmer, he needed that break. When you are mentally tired, you are fighting against yourself.

India have brought in Hardik Pandya (rested from the previous match against Hong Kong), Deepak Hooda and Ravi Bishnoi in their playing eleven in place of injured Ravindra Jadeja (out of the tournament due to right knee injury), Dinesh Karthik and Avesh Khan, meaning Rishabh Pant will keep wickets. Pakistan, on the other hand, got in pacer Mohammad Hasnain in their playing eleven, replacing fellow fast bowler Shahnawaz Dahani, who is out due to a suspected side strain.

After the victory of Team India in the Asia Cup Hasin Jahan shared a photo of Hardik Pandya and it looks like she has taunted her Shami with the caption, saying 'country's dignity cannot be saved by womanisers'. It seems that Hasin Jahan has targeted Mohammed Shami in this way without naming him. Hardik, who led India to victory with a six, had a big hand in helping India to a five-wicket win against Pakistan. He was also adjudged man of the match for his all-round performance.

According to sources, "Jadeja is likely to undergo major knee surgery and will be out of action for at least three months. World Cup participation looks impossible in that case. The board (BCCI) will assess and take a call later on his improvement and surgery."

An excellent attacking knock by Rahmanullah Gurbaz (84 off 45) powered Afghanistan to a challenging 175/6 in 20 overs. Apart from Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran also played an impactful knock (40 off 38) for Afghanistan, who would have hoped for a blistering finish but they lost wickets in a cluster in the last few overs.

"Shahnawaz Dahani will not be available for Sunday's ACC T20 Asia Cup Super-4 match against India due to a suspected side strain. The injury happened while bowling in the match against Hong Kong in Sharjah on Friday," said the PCB in an official update.

Sri Lanka went into the match with an unchanged squad and skipper Shanaka said they have done well chasing and will try that again in this match too. "We've done well chasing and wanted to continue with that. We want to have more partnerships in this game, that's our main concern," said Sri Lanka Captain Shanaka at the toss.

After losing to India by five wickets in their opening Group A clash last week on Sunday, Pakistan will return to Dubai International Stadium this Sunday to take on their arch-rivals again. Pakistan managed to grab the final Super Four spot after thrashing Hong Kong by 155 runs at Sharjah on Friday to set up another showdown with India in the tournament.

The Group A match was an absorbing affair between the two teams, which went into the final over before Hardik Pandya, after his spell of 3/25, took India home in a tense chase of 148 with a six over long-on. Many fans had manifested another India-Pakistan meeting to happen in the Super Four stage, and the cricketing gods made it come true.