Kohli, Sharma propel India to 185/3 against Pakistan

Sep 17, 2012 |

Colombo

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Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma struck quickfire half-centuries to power India to 185 for three against arch-rivals Pakistan in their second warm-up game ahead of the ICC World Twenty20 here on Monday.

Kohli celebrated his ICC ODI Player of the Year award with yet another sterling knock of unbeaten 75, while Sharma returned to form with a 40-ball 56.

The highlight of India's innings was the 127-run fourth-wicket partnership between Kohli and Sharma that came off just 77 balls.

Kohli decorated his 47-ball stay at the crease with seven fours and two huge hits over the fence, while Sharma struck six boundaries and two maximum during his knock.

Off-spinner Saeed Ajmal was the most successful Pakistani bowler with figures of two 22 from his four overs.

Electing to bat, Gautam Gambhir (10) and Virender Sehwag (26) stitched 41 runs for the opening stand before the former was cleaned up by Umar Gul in the fifth over.

To make matters worse for India, the dangerman Sehwag departed in the next over after being unable to keep a cut down. He was caught by Shahid Afridi off Ajmal's bowling.

But then came the in-form Kohli and Sharma, who combined together beautifully to raise the century stand, which laid the foundation of India's score.

The duo, however, started cautiously before opening up. Both Kohli and Sharma initially started with ones and twos but didn't waste any single opportunity to hit boundaries and sixes when opportunities came their way.

They were especially severe on leg-spinner Shahid Afridi who gave away 41 runs from his four overs.

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