T20 World Cup 2022: Former all-rounder Irfan Pathan lifted Virat Kohli in joy at the MCG after the India star conjured a special 82-run knock against Pakistan in a Super 12 match.

Ecstatic Irfan lifts Virat Kohli after MCG masterclass helps India beat Pakistan (AFP Photo)

By India Today Web Desk: Former all-rounder Irfan Pathan was on cloud nine after Virat Kohli produced a magical knock to help India complete a miraculous run-chase against arch-rivals Pakistan in their ICC World T20 2022 opener at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Sunday.

Man of the Match Kohli smashed an unbeaten 82 off 53 balls as India chased down 160 at a packed Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday. He hit four sixes, including back-to-back shots over the ropes in the penultimate over to bring India back into the game.

Irfan Pathan shared a video on Diwali to wish fans and captioned it: “Patake to Kal hi is bande ne fod diye the,Diwali aaj Mubarak ho Sabhi ko. Lots of love to all. #HappyDiwali.” In the video, Irfan was seen hugging and lifting Virat Kohli after Ashwin scored the final run to help India seal an unforgettable win at the T20 World Cup.

Talking about the high-voltage clash between India and Pakistan at the MCG, Kohli single-handedly powered India to an epic four-wicket win over arch-rivals Pakistan with a magnificent 53-ball 82 not out in their big-ticket T20 World Cup game here on Sunday. Pakistan recovered from a wobbly start to post a fighting 159 for eight. India completed the chase in the last ball, with Kohli and Hardik Pandya (40) doing the bulk of the scoring after a horror start to their innings.

The two revived India with a 113-run stand for the fourth wicket after they were reeling at 31/4 at one stage. Sent in to bat, Pakistan were well served by Iftikhar Ahmed’s 34-ball 51 and Shan Masood’s unbeaten 52 off 42 balls after they lost their first two wickets with just 15 runs on the board in the fourth over.

For India, Arshdeep Singh was among the most successful bowlers in the much-awaited match of the tournament, finishing with figures of 3/32 in four overs at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground. If it was not for the 14 runs in the 19th over, Arshdeep would have ended with better figures. Playing in his maiden World Cup, left-arm pacer Arshdeep gave India early breakthroughs before Pakistan steadied things with a 76-run partnership for the third wicket.