17.9 C
Srinagar
Thursday, March 28, 2024

Pakistan turnaround impresses Virat Kohli

CricketPakistan turnaround impresses Virat Kohli

BIRMINGHAM: India captain Virat Kohli paid tribute to Pakistan’s “magnificent turnaround” after his Champions Trophy title-holders booked a place in the final against their arch-rivals.

Kohli’s men overwhelmed Bangladesh by nine wickets at Edgbaston on Thursday, a day after Pakistan had seen off England by eight wickets in an almost as lopsided semi-final at Cardiff.

India launched their title-defence with a 124-run thrashing of Pakistan at Edgbaston 11 days ago.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 11:  Virat Kohli of India celebrates running out David Miller of South Africa during the ICC Champions Trophy Group B match between India and South Africa at The Kia Oval on June 11, 2017 in London, England.  (Photo by Christopher Lee-IDI/IDI via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 11: Virat Kohli of India celebrates running out David Miller of South Africa during the ICC Champions Trophy Group B match between India and South Africa at The Kia Oval on June 11, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Christopher Lee-IDI/IDI via Getty Images)

But following what coach Mickey Arthur labelled a “shambolic” display, Pakistan recovered to beat South Africa, the top-ranked team in this eight-nation one-day international tournament.

They then held their nerve to seal a three-wicket win over Sri Lanka in a virtual quarter-final in Cardiff on Monday before dominating a previously unbeaten England.

Asked if he had any thoughts on a final between the Asian giants, Kohli, to a chorus of laughter at a post-match news conference, answered: “No sir.”

But Kohli’s respect for the way Pakistan had hauled themselves off the canvas was evident.

“I’ve been very impressed,” said Kohli.

“The turnaround has been magnificent. Obviously if you reach the finals you have to play some good cricket, and credit to them (Pakistan), they’ve turned things around for themselves really well.

“They’ve beaten sides that looked really strong against them, but the belief they showed on the field, the way they played together as a team…You know, regardless of who you play in the finals, it’s always going to be challenging because once you start thinking that it’s a big game, then your mindset changes,” the star batsman added.

“What we are going to try to do is repeat the similar sort of cricket that we have played so far, knowing the strengths and weaknesses they (Pakistan) have.”

But Kohli said there would be drastic change of game-plan after a semi-final where, having won the toss, he saw his attack restrict Bangladesh to an inadequate 264 for seven.

India cruised to victory, finishing on 265 for one with nearly 10 overs to spare.

Rohit Sharma was 123 not out and Kohli, the world’s top-ranked ODI batsman, 96 not out in an unbroken stand of 178.

“I don’t know there’s much that we need to change as a team,” said Kohli, a member of the India side that beat England in the 2013 Champions Trophy final at Edgbaston.

“I think if we focus on our skills and our abilities and believe in ourselves, we’ll give ourselves a chance to do some good things for the team.”

 

Check out our other content

Check out other tags:

Most Popular Articles