Pakistan skipper praises Kohli innings

19 March 2012 07:26

Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul-Haq described Virat Kohli's match-winning 183 in India's six-wicket Asia Cup win as the best innings he has seen.

Chasing 330 to stay alive in the competition, India lost Gautam Gambhir on the second ball of the innings but Kohli, first with Sachin Tendulkar (52) and then Rohit Sharma (68), put on valuable partnerships as India coasted home with 13 balls to spare.

"Virat's innings is the best I have seen so far," he said.

"Credit also goes to Sachin and Rohit. They all batted excellently, but we could have bowled better."

In the space of four games, this is the second century from Kohli where he led from the front in a chase of over 300.

During the tri-series in Australia, India needed 320 in 40 overs to stay alive in the competition and Kohli dominated the Sri Lankan bowling with a masterly unbeaten 133 to earn his side the much-needed bonus point.

"I was asked the same question in the dressing-room the moment I came back after scoring the century. It's a difficult choice and I would put this one at par with Hobart," Kohli said when asked to compare the two innings.

Kohli has been in top form recently, scoring three hundreds and a half century in his last four innings with two of them coming in successful chases.

"I think it's about keeping a positive mindset and going about the job in a methodical manner. That is what I have done earlier and it was pretty much the same here also."

"Pakistan have a very good attack and, in addition to that, Saeed Ajmal is really difficult to pick. I have seen numerous videos of his but still I maintain, in match situation, he really is a tricky customer."

"I always wanted to do well against Pakistan...I failed a couple of times earlier, but this time around, didn't want to miss out."