Kolkata: India continue to maintain their ‘unbeaten’ status against arch rivals Pakistan in World Cup as they clinched a six-wicket victory over the neighbouring country in their second league match of World T20 2016 at Kolkata's Eden Gardens.Leading from the front, it was Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 55 off 37 balls that fuelled India's victory in this must-win game.
In their chase of 119 runs, India lost Rohit Sharma (10 off 11 balls), Shikhar Dhawan (6 off 15 balls), Suresh Raina (0) and Yuvraj Singh (24 off 23 balls).
Pakistani bowlers didn't do much to affect the Indian run-chase other than the two-successive wickets that seemed to have landed the Men-in-blue in trouble. However, Kohli and Yuvraj put up a steady partnership to steady India's ship with the help of singles and strike rotation.
Bowling for Pakistan, Mohammad Sami took the maximum 2 wickets. Mohammad Amir and Wahab Riaz got one wicket each.
Batting first on a turning wicket, Pakistan scored 118/5 runs in 18 overs. Indian bowlers started off well from the word go, in this much-awaited World T20 match against arch rivals Pakistan.
Bowling in the power-play, Ashish Nehra and R. Ashwin didn't allow Pakistani batsmen to play much big shots.
Giving India the first breakthrough, Suresh Raina dismissed Sharjeel Khan for 17 off 24 balls with Jasprit Bumrah taking a splendid catch.
Ahmed Shehzad soon followed his fellow-opener to the pavilion after Bumrah sent him packing at 25 off 28 balls. Next in line was danger man Shahid Afridi who surrendered before Hardik Pandya for just 8 runs off 14 deliveries.
Shoaib Malik and Umar Akmal did their bit with the bat and added 26 and 22 respectively to the Pakistan's total of 118 runs.
For India, Nehra, Bumrah, Jadega, Pandya and Raina took one wicket each.
India won the toss and elected to bowl first. Following the heavy rains, the match was reduced to 18 overs per side.

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