Asia Cup: Virat Kohli and KL Rahul help India thrash Pakistan by 228 runs

 

India scored 356-2 (50 overs) in Colombo for the Asia Cup, with Kohli scoring 122 and Rahul 111.

128 (32 overs) for Pakistan: Fakhar 27, Yadav 5-25

By 228 runs, India triumphs.

tally sheet; Super Four table

In the Super Four round of the Asia Cup in Colombo, India defeated Pakistan by 228 runs thanks to unbroken centuries from Virat Kohli and KL Rahul.

India scored 356-2 with the aid of Kohli (122) and Rahul (111), and Pakistan was held to 128 before Kuldeep Yadav's 5-25.

The victory over Pakistan was India's largest ever in a one-day international.

"KL and I are both established players. We don't play flashy shots, so it's difficult to break these partnerships, Kohli added.

"The main goal was to continue batting, so we didn't give the partnership much thought. One of our most enduring relationships, and for Indian cricket as a whole.

Rain forced an early halt to play on Sunday, forcing the game into a second reserve day. India had resumed on 147-2.

After the group game between the two sides at Pallekele was rained out, the additional day was abruptly added to the Super Four match, the only game to receive the advantage aside from the championship.

India made a good start on Sunday thanks to half-centuries from opener Shubman Gill and captain Rohit Sharma.

Initially cautious, Kohli and Rahul attacked the Pakistani bowling attack with 100 runs in 102 balls.

Rahul's 106-ball innings had 12 fours and two sixes, while Kohli's 94-ball attack featured three sixes and nine fours.

As Kuldeep went through Pakistan's middle order on way to his second ODI five-wicket haul, they never recovered after losing two early wickets, including skipper Babar Azam, who was bowled for 10 by Hardik Pandya.

Due to injuries, neither Haris Rauf nor partner spinner Naseem Shah were able to bat as Pakistan finished on 128-8 in 32 overs.