Shoaib Akhtar: Once again today, Virat Kohli proved why he is considered the best. What an inning

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka: Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar, who has always backed Virat Kohli, was delighted to see the Indian batter scoring his 47th ODI hundred in the ODI against Pakistan. The right-handed batter smashed 122 not out off just 94 balls, hitting 9 fours and 3 sixes.

Read more: The Frustrated Fans Criticize BookMyShow As WC 2023 Tickets Sell Out Within Minutes

Virat Kohli and KL Rahul posted unbeaten hundreds

Virat Kohli and KL Rahul posted unbeaten hundreds as India amassed 356-2 in its Asia Cup second-round game against arch-rivals Pakistan on Monday.

India’s highest partnership for any wicket in the Asia Cup

Kohli and Rahul put on an unbroken 233 for the third wicket off 194 balls, India’s highest partnership for any wicket in the Asia Cup.

It is also the fourth-highest total at the R. Premadasa Stadium, with no ODI team having successfully chased 357 at the venue, and India’s joint-highest ODI total against Pakistan, equalling the 356 scored in Visakhapatnam in 2005.

After the rain on Sunday, the play was extended to Monday’s reserve day. India resumed on 147-2 and soon took complete control.

Read more: Virat Kohli and KL Rahul destroyed records in Asia Cup 2023

Rahul is back in the side after an injury

Rahul, back in the side after injury, scored a run-a-ball century. It was his sixth ODI hundred and the first since March 2021. He finished 111 not out off 106 balls with 12 fours and two sixes.

Kohli became the quickest batsman to get to 13,000 ODI runs

Former captain Kohli became the quickest batsman to get to 13,000 ODI runs. The previous record holder, Sachin Tendulkar, needed 321 innings to reach the milestone, but Kohli got there in 267.

Kohli’s 47th ODI hundred came off 84 balls; it was his fourth consecutive century at the ground. Only Hashim Amla of South Africa has scored four successive tons at the same venue, at Centurion.

Kohli finished unbeaten on 122 off 94 deliveries with nine fours and three sixes.

Shoaib took to X to laud the Indian batter

“Once again today, Virat Kohli proved why he is considered the best. What an inning,” he wrote.

Pakistan’s bowling looked formidable when the teams met in a first-round game in Kandy, but India went on the attack this time.

Pakistan’s bowling was weakened without Haris Rauf. The paceman sent down five overs on Sunday but wasn’t available to bowl on Monday due to injury.