Kohli stars

> … as India run-spree against Pakistan

INDIA captain Virat Kohli and Yuvraj Singh made Pakistan pay for fluffing catches as they each struck quickfire fifties as the title holders hit 319 for three in their Champions Trophy opener at Edgbaston yesterday.

Kohli, who on Saturday had dismissed reports of a rift with India coach Anil Kumble, was equally contemptuous of Pakistan’s attack during a blistering innings of 81 not out off just 68 balls that included six fours and three sixes.

Left-hander Yuvraj smashed a rapid 53 while helping Kohli add 93 for the third wicket in a mere 59 deliveries.

That was not the end of the run spree, with Hardik Pandya hitting the first three balls of leftarm spinner Imad Wasim’s last over of the innings for six on his way to an unbeaten 20.

In a match reduced to 48 overs per side after rain interruptions, Pakistan were left needing a revised target of 324 to win.

Rohit Sharma (91) and Shikhar Dhawan (68) laid the platform with an opening stand of 136 before Kohli and Yuvraj, to the delight of India fans in a capacity 25,000 crowd, teed off.

Mohammad Amir was the pick of Pakistan’s attack with none for 32 in 8.1 overs.

But fellow left-arm fast bowler Wahab Riaz was hugely expensive, his wicketless 8.4 overs costing 87 runs.

Wahab’s day was summed up when he was unable to complete his ninth over after falling