The Indian stalwart, Virat Kohli is hailed as the master of run-chases in international cricket. The star batter has scored 22 of his 46 ODI centuries in successful run chases for India, which is a world record. One team that the former India skipper loves to play against is Pakistan as whenever he’s up against the arch-rivals he brings his ‘A game’ to the fore. He averages 48.72 against Pakistan in ODIs and a massive 81.33 in T20Is.
However, the 34-year-old has also failed on a few occasions against his favorite opposition. The most famous of them was the Champions Trophy 2017 final where he returned to the pavilion after scoring just 5 off 9 nine balls. During his short stay at the crease, the chase master got a lifeline on the eighth ball of his innings after getting dropped by Azhar Ali in the first slip.
Recalling the incident, the former Pakistan cricketer recently revealed that he was under immense pressure when he dropped India’s premier batter on the big stage. He further said that he began dreading the harsh criticism he thought he would get from the entire country if Kohli were to score big to take India home.
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However, much to Ali’s good fortune, Virat Kohli lost his wicket on the very next ball as he got a leading edge against Mohammed Amir, which went straight to Shadab Khan at point. Recalling the same, during a chat on ‘Hasna Mana Hai’, Azar Ali said, “I saw it in reality. Between that drop catch and his dismissal, plenty of things flashed before my eyes.”
He further added, ” It felt as if I have been burdened with weight and pressure, and that the entire world is watching me asking as if ‘Look what he’s done’.That was my feeling and I thought ‘God forbid, if he does what he is famous for… if he chases this down – he scores a lot in chases – my house will get vandalised’. Fortunately, I was just thinking about all these scenarios and he got out the next ball.”
Fakhar Zaman was the star with the bat for Pakistan as he amassed 114 off 106 deliveries which helped the men in green to reach a respectable score of 338/4 in the first innings. However, the opener got a reprieve early on his innings as Jasprit Bumrah dismissed him on a no-ball.
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Revealing startling information about the incident, Azhar Ali said, “When he came back after being given not out, he was laughing. He later shared that he had a dream that he got (out) off a no-ball. So, when a repeat of it happened in the final, I fist-pumped him.”
The defending champions were bundled out for just 158 in pursuit of the target of 339 and were handed their heaviest defeat against the arch-rivals. Mohammed Amir was the wrecker-in-chief with the ball for Pakistan as he registered the figures of 3/16 in 6 overs. Only Hardik Pandya showed some fight for India with his knock of 76 off 43 balls, but he was run-out after an unfortunate miscommunication with Ravindra Jadeja.
