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Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar was all praise for the Indian fielders and said that it proved to be the difference in the end between India and Pakistan as the former registered their second straight win in the Asia Cup 2016. (Asia Cup Twenty20: Virat Kohli, Bowlers Guide India to Victory Over Pakistan)
India beat Pakistan by five wickets in a low-scoring affair at Mirpur. (Highlights)
“Difference between India and Pakistan was the fielding. Rival teams should be wary of the Indian fielders,” Gavaskar told NDTV.
“Indian fielding has improved over the years. Players should be extremely careful when ball goes to the likes of Ravindra Jadeja and Virat Kohli,” he added.
Opting to bowl, the Indians bowled out Pakistan for a paltry 83 with all-rounder Hardik Pandya starring with figures of three for eight.
India’s chase got off to the worse possible start as Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane and Suresh Raina all fell before the end of third over.
However, Kohli and Yuvraj Singh strung a match-winning 68-run stand for the fourth wicket to deny Pakistan an unlikely win.
Kohli smashed 49 off 51 balls and was unlucky to be given leg-before wicket, one short of a deserved half-century. Yuvraj, meanwhile played a patient knock of 14 off 32 balls to steer India home.
“Virat Kohli deserves all the kudos for his innings. Yuvraj also showed maturity. Yuvraj was really cool under pressure. He and Kohli combined well,” said Gavaskar.
Mohammad Amir wreaked havoc on the Indian top order, taking three wickets for 18 runs in his four overs to leave India in heaps of trouble. Kohli in the post-match conference praised the tainted pacer and said he relished the battle in difficult batting conditions.
“Clever of Pakistani cricket administration to give Amir apt exposure ahead of Asia Cup,” said the former India opener.
Source: NDTV