Like any other India vs Pakistan game, this fixture will be immensely significant from the emotional perspective, but as we witnessed last year, today’s outcome is also expected to have a say in the semi-final lineup of the competition, given its cut-throat nature.
Understandably, both sides will look to put their best foot forward at a jam-packed MCG, where every wicket, boundary, fielding effort and all of the minute details of the match will be cheered by many, and jeered by some.
India vs Pakistan Live: Kohli’s Back, Tell a Friend
The Asia Cup gave a glimpse of it, and so did the T20I series against South Africa and Australia. But, when the stage was at its biggest, when the conditions were at their toughest, when the opposition were at their strongest, the Indian fans finally got what they wanted - the great Virat Kohli redemption.
Justifying his tag of 'King Kohli,' the 33-year-old played a knock that words might fail to do justice to. The scorecard will say he has scored 82 runs from 53 deliveries at a strike rate of 154.72, but those who saw India reeling at 31/4 will know very well that this knock transcends the realms of mere numbers and statistics.
An incredible knock, by an exemplary professional, in a thrilling game of cricket. Poetry.
IND vs PAK Live: Epic Victory For India in Enthralling Game
That's it! What an end to the match, as India beat Pakistan by 4 wickets.
16 runs were needed from the last over, and Mohammad Nawaz managed to get Hardik Pandya's wicket in the very first delivery. However, a no ball, a wide, and most importantly, a spectacular six from Virat Kohli's bat did the job for the men in blue, who defeated Pakistan for the sixth time in a T20 World Cup clash.
IND vs PAK Live: King Kohli, in All His Glory
Babar Azam brought back his best bowler of the day, Haris Rauf, to bowl the penultimate over of the match. However, Virat Kohli is not discriminating among bowlers currently - he is dispatching everyone to the stands.
15 runs come from the 19th over. India now need 16 runs in the last over.
IND vs PAK: Afridi Concedes 17 Runs, Momentum Swings Again
This game is proving to be a roller-coaster ride, as the momentum has swung once again in India's favour. Virat Kohli goes all guns blazing in Shaheen Afridi's last over, as India accumulate 17 runs from the 18th over.
The men in blue are 31 runs away from the target, with two overs remaining.