Pakistani celebrities applauded Indian batsman Virat Kohli for his heroic performance on Sunday against Pakistan in the T20i World Cup in Melbourne, Australia.
The prolific batter scored an unbeaten 82 off 53 bowls to secure an incredible come-from-behind victory for India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
Pakistani pop singer Asim Azhar posted a picture of himself standing beside Virat Kohli, and even got a signed t-shirt from the Indian batsman.
He wrote,
I was always a fan of your cricket, but now I am a bigger fan of the person you are. Thank you for your time and kindness.
Actor and producer Adnan Siddiqui chimed in as well, stating that Kohli is “a class apart”.
‘Twas not a match but a thriller. Kept us on tenterhooks till the finish. Kudos to both the teams for such an entertainer. @imVkohli, you are a class apart, Sir. pic.twitter.com/9TlksmN8OC
— Adnan Siddiqui (@adnanactor) October 23, 2022
TV show host Shaista Lodhi admitted that she hates seeing Pakistan lose to India but admired Kohli’s performance, calling it “one of the best 20/20 innings” she’s ever seen.
What a game of cricket! Had everything. Hate losing to India but hats off to Virat Kohli. One of the best 20/20 innings I’ve ever seen. Pakistan will go again.#indiaVsPakistan #PakVsInd
— Dr. Shaista Lodhi (@IamShaistaLodhi) October 23, 2022
Mansha Pasha quipped that the Indian batsman “knew the assignment” and singlehandedly carried the game in the second half. She also mentioned that she hates one Pakistani player after the game. We wonder who that is.
Virat singlehandedly carried the game in the second half for India – honestly i hate one of my favourite players right now 😅
He knew the assignment and he delivered. Good on him! Bad luck for us 💔#INDvPAK— Mansha Pasha (@manshapasha) October 23, 2022
Ali Zafar stated that the game played out like a movie script with Virat Kohli as the hero.
Today’s match was like a script from a movie with @imVkohli as the hero.
Game of nerves ! Maza aaya!
We will always love you team Pakistan, regardless ! Excellent game of cricket. Congratulations india. #PakVsInd #T20WorldCup2022
— Ali Zafar (@AliZafarsays) October 23, 2022
Former cricketers Mohammad Hafeez and Wahab Riaz also praised Kohli’s performance, including Shoaib Malik who called the Indian batsman “an absolute beast”.
– What a Game of cricket we've just witnessed & this guy Virat Kohli is absolutely a Beast!!
You can not compare his class to any other player in the world in white ball cricket. He can anchor, he rotates the strike, he can hit sixes and he knows how to finish the Game! pic.twitter.com/Ed349p0840
— Shoaib Malik 🇵🇰 (@realshoaibmalik) October 23, 2022
Win or loss is part of the game ! Well played both the teams . An intense match and the better team won! But @imVkohli Naam hi kaaafii haa.
— Wahab Riaz (@WahabViki) October 23, 2022
Special player 😍 @imVkohli #PakVsInd #ICCT20WorldCup2022
— Mohammad Hafeez (@MHafeez22) October 23, 2022
Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma wrote a heartfelt note for her hubby on Instagram after the match. She called it the “best innings of his life” and said,
You, beauty! You freaking beauty! You have brought so much joy into people’s lives tonight, that too on the eve of Diwali! You are a wonderful man. Your grit, determination and belief are mind-boggling! I have just watched the best match of my life I can say. Our daughter is too small to understand why her mother was dancing around and screaming wildly in the room, but one day she will understand her dad played his best innings that night following a tough phase.
Thriller at the MCG
The MCG was jam-packed on Sunday as over 90,000 people witnessed the thrilling encounter between arch-rivals India and Pakistan. Celebrities like Asim Azhar, Aima Baig, Ayesha Omar, and more were in attendance to enjoy the game.
Pakistan posted a competitive total of 159 for the loss of 8 wickets. The men in green’s fiery pacers, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf, managed to rock India in the first half of the chase. However, it was Virat Kohli who turned the game on its head, securing an unbelievable come-from-behind win for India.
The match was an emotional rollercoaster for both sets of fans, however, India came out on top much to the dismay of Pakistani fans.
