World T20: Virat Kohli's heroic 55 no helps India to beat Pakistan by 6 wickets

For years, the famous Eden Gardens was a happy hunting ground for Shahid Afridi and his men. The Pakistan cricket team had never lost a game here against India, until now.

India on the other hand was yet to concede a match to Pakistan in an ICC World Cup tournament.

India started the run chase in a cautious manner, having lost the earlier tie against New Zealand chasing a near similar target.

Rohit Sharma hit 2 boundaries off Mohammad Irfan's over to set the tone but a quick fire spell from Mohammad Sami set the match wide open.

Sami picked up Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina in consecutive balls to put some pressure on the strong Indian batting lineup.

At 23 for the loss of 3 wickets, Yuvraj Singh walked in and after a nervous start, played some powerful drives to stitch a 61-run partnership for the fourth wicket along with Virat Kohli.

Kohli, ever ready for a chase, showed his class yet again, as the Delhi boy remained unbeaten at 55 runs. He was also adjudged the Man of the Match for his gutsy 37-ball 55. He hit seven boundaries and one six.

Kohli also hit the 150th six of the tournament, when he swept Shoaib Malik in the mid-wicket region.

In a rain-hit match which was reduced to 18 overs per side, India won the match with two and a half overs to spare.

Earlier, playing their all important super 10 game against India, Pakistan set the hosts a target of 119 runs.

Pakistan scored 118 runs for the loss of 5 wickets on a pitch that was favouring bowlers early.

In a rain truncated encounter, Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss and decided to field first.

Setting out to bat, Pakistan made a cautious start as R Ashwin and Ashish Nehra bowled in good channels.

The pitch, thought to be a pace friendly wicket by both the captains, turned out to be a square turner as both Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja turned the bowled miles.

Pakistan lost their opening wicket for 38 runs after Sharjeel (17) tried to hit a long-hop from Raina for a six, only to scoop it high enough for Pandya to complete a good catch.

Ahmed Shahzad, who played a good hand of 25 runs was the next to depart as he fell prey to Bumrah.

Pakistani skipper Shahid Afridi, who promoted himself up the order scored 8 runs before hitting one straight to Virat kohli at long on off Hardik Pandya.

At 60 for the loss of 3 wickets, Umar Akmal (22) and Shoaib Malik (26) stitched together a partnership of 41 runs to take their team's score past the 100-run mark.

Both Malik and Akmal played some exquisite shots to up the ante for Pakistan, plundering 15 runs in a Pandya over and another 13 odd off Jasprit Bumrah.

While Akmal perished trying to cut Ravindra Jadeja, Malik was undone by a slower one from Nehra.

For India, Raina, Nehra, Bumrah, Pandya and Jadeja picked up a wicket each.

Brief scorecard:

Pakistan 118 for five in 18 overs (Shoaib Malik 26, Ahmed Shehzad 25, Umar Akmal 22, Ashish Nehra 1-20, Ravindra Jadeja 1-20)

India 119 for four in 15. 5 overs (Virat Kohli 55 no, Yuvraj Singh 24, MS Dhoni 13 no, Mohammad Sami 2-17)