Virat Kohli and KL Rahul scored respective hundreds as India thumped Pakistan by 228 runs in Super 4 stage at the Asia Cup 2023 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Monday.
The Men in Blue resumed their innings on the reserve day at 147/2 in 24.1 overs, with Virat Kohli and KL Rahul unbeaten on 8 & 17.
Pakistan suffered a huge blow as Haris Rauf did not bowl due to injury.
The pair built on the great start provided by openers Rohit Sharma (56) and Shubman Gill (58) on Sunday, who had put on 121 for the opening stand.
Kohli (122)* along with Rahul (111)* shared an unbeaten 233 run stand for the third wicket to take India to a mammoth score of 356/2 in their allotted 50 overs.
The 34 year old star batsman created yet another record by becoming the fastest batter to reach 13,000 ODI runs. He took 267 innings to reach the landmark, beating Sachin Tendulkar’s record (321 innings).
Chasing 357, Jasprit Bumrah drew first blood by dismissing Imam-ul-Haq (9) caught at slip by Shubman Gill. Hardik Pandya then got into the act by cleaning up skipper Babar Azam with a peach of a delivery that nipped in sharply.
Mohammad Rizwan (2) then edged a delivery from Shardul Thakur to wicket keeper Rahul behind the stumps. Left arm spinners Kuldeep Yadav then ran through the middle and lower order with best figures of 5/25 as Pakistan were bundled out for 128 in 32 overs. Harris Rauf and Naseem Shah did not come to bat due to injuries.