INDIA WIN BY 5 WICKETS!!!

 India 85-5 (15.3 ovs) vs Pak 83 | Scorecard

In the end, it needed an innings of absolute quality from a genius like Virat Kohli to take India to victory on a lively pitch.

Mohammad Amir proved to be too hot to handle with the new ball and threatened to run through India's batting line-up before Kohli rescued India in the company of experienced Yuvraj Singh, who played a good hand of 14 from 32 balls.

As Yuvraj admitted in the end,"it was a tough wicket and Virat batted outstandingly."

INDIA WIN BY 5 WICKETS!!!

 India 85-5 (15.3 ovs) vs Pak 83 | Scorecard

Riaz comes back as Kohli takes a single on the off-side from the second ball and Yuvraj picks one from the next.

Riaz overpitches as Kohli plays another cracking cover drive for a four followed by a single to take his score to 49.

Sami brings some cheer to the Pakistani fans with the big wicket of Kohli, who is trapped leg before wicket for 49. Kohli straightaway indicates that he has got an inside edge on it but the umpire still raises his finger to give that out.

But it ends a superb innings from India's batting sensation as he played out a difficult spell from Amir early on before taking control to play a superb innings of 49 from 51 balls.

Is there another twist in the tale?

Hardik Pandya yet again comes in ahead of captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni at No. 6. But he lasts just two deliveries as Sami gets him caught by Hafeez at first slip, who takes it after a slight juggle.

India are 76 for five in the 15th over, with another eight runs needed for victory.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni gets off the mark courtesy of a misfield from the fielder in the covers who lets it go through him and gifts India three runs. Yuvraj keeps strike with a single from the last ball, leaving India with four to get from five overs.

Dhoni ends it in the next over as he smashes Riaz through the off-side for a boundary to take India to victory in great style.

India cruise to 85 for five in 15.3 overs to win by five wickets with 27 deliveries to spare on a wicket which offered a lot of assistance to the fast bowlers.

 India 69-3 (13 ovs) vs Pak 83 | Scorecard

Riaz is struggling with his rhythm. He starts his second over with a no-ball as he over-stretched the crease but Yuvraj can't get the free hit away, hitting a full toss straight to the fielder in the covers.

Yuvraj is then caught in an awkward moment as he looks to avoid a delivery which he expects to bouncer but it doesn't and strikes him on the bat.

Riaz tries a bouncer but it ends up as a wide down the leg side before he takes one from the next ball and Kohli takes one from the lat ball to raise the 50-run stand for the fourth wicket from 55 balls.

Sami and Riaz not having the same impact as Amir and to some extent Irfan did. Kohli goes after a wide delivery from Sami but is beaten before he flicks the third ball, overpitched on leg stump, through midwicket for a four.

He takes a single from the next ball before Yuvraj does well to play out the last two balls of the over.

Irfan is back, taking over from Riaz, who bowled two poor overs for 20 runs on a pitch still offering some assistance to the pacers.

Kohli in complete control at the moment. Irfan bowls it short as Kohli turns it on the leg side and comes back for two runs. The left-armer oversteps to give a no-ball and a free hit which again has Yuvraj Singh on strike, who is unable to make most of it again and pulls it on the leg side for one.

Kohli keeps strike with a single from the last ball of the over as India close-in on victory with just 15 needed from seven overs.

 India 53-3 (10 ovs) vs Pak 83 | Scorecard

Yuvraj showing great maturity to curb on his natural attacking game and look to stay at the wicket. He defends the first ball from Irfan before he turns the next on the leg side for one.

Kohli opens the face of the bat and steers a short wide delivery from Irfan past a diving first slip fielder for a four. The next ball is on the pads as Kohli gets it on the pads for a leg bye.

Another fast bowler introduced as Wahab Riaz replaces Amir. The first ball is full but a bit wide as Kohli plays a handsome cover drive for a boundary. He flicks the next ball through midwicket for two runs before playing another gorgeous cover drive for a four.

Kohli flicks a full delivery from Wahab behind square on the leg side for a four to bring up India's 50, in the ninth over.

The two experienced batsmen have built up a nice partnership to guide India out of trouble and steady the innings.

Sami comes back after bowling just one over with the new ball. India pick up three from it to take their total to 53 for three after 10 overs.

Kohli has brought the Indian innings back on track, hitting 32 from 34 balls, while Yuvraj has made 10.

 India 29-3 (7 ovs) vs Pak 83 | Scorecard

Irfan continues to beat Yuvraj, who has no clue to another incoming delivery from the left-arm pacer. He follows it with a wide down the leg side before Yuvraj pulls a short ball but the fielder at square leg makes a good stop to save a boundary.

Yuvraj is again cut into half by the inswing from Irfan before he learns from his mistake and offers no shot to the next three balls.

The Powerplay is finished as India reach 21 for three in six overs, needing another 63 runs from 14 overs for victory.

Kohli has done well to survive against some quality fast bowling to score six from 15 balls, while Yuvraj has made five from 14 balls.

Amir will bowl out here as Pakistan decide to get one more wicket and cripple India further.

Some relief in the Indian dressing room as Kohli flicks it off his hips through square leg for a four. The next ball is full and Kohli plays a beautiful cover drive for a four, easily the best shot of the day so far!

Kohli manages to play out the over as Amir finishes with wonderful figures of three for 18 in four overs in one of the best spells by a fast bowler in T20 cricket.

 India 20-3 (5 ovs) vs Pak 83 | Scorecard

The tall Mohammad Irfan comes into the attack, replacing Sami, who bowled just one over with the new ball.

He bowls a wide half-volley which Yuvraj crashes through the covers for the first boundary of the innings.

Two balls later he nearly edges it back on to his stumps and then gets a deadly bouncer which he does well to sway out of the way of. The last ball is full and Yuvraj has a poke to be beaten again.

Amir getting carried away as he attempts a bouncer but it goes way over Kohli and even the keeper for five wides.

Kohli gets a thick outside edge which goes between the first slip and a wide second slip for a single and Yuvraj steers it past point for another run.

Kohli defends the third ball to Akmal at point, who throws a return at the non-striker's end which strikes the umpire on his knees and ends up injuring him.

Kohli doing well to negate the threat of Amir as he defends him watchfully, he is beaten off the last ball but more importantly has played out his third over.

 India 9-3 (3 ovs) vs Pak 83 | Scorecard

India will need Kohli to stay out in the middle and play out the next few overs to settle the nerves in the dressing room.

Veteran Mohammad Sami to bowl the second over. Kohli defends the first two balls before he flicks the third ball on the leg side for two runs. A misfield from Wahab Riaz at mid-on two balls later gets him two more runs as India get four runs from the over.

All eyes on Amir after that magical first over, the crowd is chanting 'Amir, Amir'.

Raina looking to get forward as he somehow gets an inside edge and Kohli gets him off strike by calling him for a quick single.

Kohli defends confidently to a full delivery from Amir. He tries to flick the next ball across the line but misses and is struck on the pads. Amir goes up in appeal instantly but the umpire turns down the appeal.

Raina offers a simple catch to mid-on as he gets a leading edge trying to turn Amir on the leg side.

Raina walks back for one as India find themselves in trouble at eight for three in the third over.

Yuvraj Singh offers no stroke to the first ball he faces and is lucky that the ball bounced over the stumps. Kohli confidently defends the last ball of the over.

 India 2-2 (1 ov) vs Pak 83 | Scorecard

Mohammad Amir to bowl the first over for Pakistan and facing him is India's in-form opener Rohit Sharma.

The first ball is right up and strikes Rohit on the toes but the huge appeal for LBW is turned down, that look mighty close and Rohit is lucky to survive.

But he does not survive for long as Amir traps him leg before wicket with the very next delivery. The ball came in slightly and hit Rohit right in front of the stumps to dismiss him for a duck as India suffer a big jolt in the first over of the innings.

Virat Kohli throws his bat at a wide delivery but gets a thick outside edge for a single to thirdman before Amir bowls a wide down the leg side.

Amir strikes again in the first over with the wicket of Rahane, who is also beaten by the swing and trapped leg before wicket for a duck. Both the Indian openers have fallen for ducks as Pakistan get right back into the contest with the twin strikes in the first over.

Suresh Raina gets an unplayable delivery first up, full and swinging away, he is lucky not to have edged that. The left-hander manages to defend the last ball as India are reduced to two for two after the first over.

 Pak 83-all out (17.3 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Pandya comes back in place of Jadeja, who had one over left. The first ball is full and outside the off-stump as Sami has a wild swing but is beaten.

The square leg fielder is sent back and Sami falls right into the trap. Pandya bowls a bouncer and Sami's pull shot ends up in the hands of Raina at deep square leg as Pakistan are reduced to 83 for nine, in the 18th over.

Pandya ends Pakistan's innings off the very next delivery as Amir misses a straight delivery and is bowled for one.

Pakistan are bowled out for a paltry 83 in 17.3 overs in a disappointing batting performance.

Pandya was India's most successful bowler, who claimed three for eight in 3.3 overs, while Jadeja took two for 11 in three overs. Nehra, Bumrah and Yuvraj made useful contributions as they picked up a wicket each as Dhoni's decision to bowl first on a lively track paid off handsomely.

 Pak 83-8 (17 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Jadeja ends Pakistan's hopes of posting a decent total as he claims the key wicket of Sarfaraz, who was threatening to counter-attack the Indian bowlers.

Sarfaraz, who made 25 from 24 balls, made room to play the cut but missed it completely and was bowled.

Pakistan in danger of being bowled out well before their 20 overs as they are reduced to 70 for eight in the 16th over.

The man in the spotlight, Mohammad Amir, comes out to bat with Pakistan have a miserable day with the bat.

The first ball slides down the leg side and looks to have hit something but the umpire calls it a wide and Dhoni is clearly not happy with the call.

Amir watchfully blocks the rest of the over as Jadeja concedes just a single in that over.

Sami decides to attack Ashwin as he sweeps him uppishly square on the leg side for a four. Ashwin temporarily loses his mojo as he fires a quick delivery way down the leg side which even Dhoni can't gather to give away five wides.

Sami takes a single to sweeper cover before Amir sneaks a quick single on the off-side. Another single makes it a good over for Pakistan as Ashwin concedes 12 runs to take the score to 83 for eight in 17 overs.

 Pak 70-7 (15 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Spin from both ends as the in-form Ravichandran Ashwin comes into the attack very late in the day, to bowl the 13th over of the innings.

Pakistan continue to flirt with danger as Sarfaraz calls Sami for another risky single before the former also takes one.

Ashwin bowls the away going delivery as Sami gets an edge but once again Rahane makes a full length diving stop to save some runs.

Sami defends the last two deliveries of the over as Ashwin concedes just two runs in his first over.

Jadeja to continue as India continue to lord over the proceedings. Sarfaraz gets a rare boundary as he goes back and plays a delicate late cut very fine on the off-side for a four. He takes a single before Sami and Sarfaraz have another yes-or-no moment.

Sarfaraz goes after Ashwin as he comes down the track and lofts him over midwicket for a four followed by a quick single.

Ashwin makes a good comeback after that boundary as he gives away just seven in that over.

 Pak 56-7 (12 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Pakistan's running between the wickets is a complete comedy at the moment. Sarfaraz and Wahab have another confusion as they look for a single but make their ground safely in the end.

Another tight over from Pandya, who has good figures of one for eight in three overs.

Yuvraj, who took one for 11 in two overs, makes way for Ravindra Jadeja. The left-arm spinner strikes in his very first over, as Riaz looked to play the sweep but missed the straighter delivery completely and was struck right in front of the stumps.

Pakistan keep losing wickets as they are reduced to 52 for seven in the 12th over.

Jadeja bowls a leg side wide to new batsman Mohammad Shami, who also gets an extra run after Dhoni fails to collect.

Sarfaraz comes down the track and whips Jadeja through midwicket for two runs from the last ball of the over.

 Pak 47-6 (10 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Sarfaraz is Pakistan's last recognised batsman and is capable of playing big knocks but he is running out of partners at the other end.

Pandya bowls a tidy over as Sarfaraz can only pick a single in that over with Wahab Riaz preferring to play with caution.

Yuvraj to continue as Dhoni prefers to hold back both his specialist spinners Ashwin and Jadeja.

And Yuvraj rushes through this second over, conceding just four singles. Infact, Pakistan nearly lose another wicket as they once again look to take on Jadeja's arm but the throw at the wrong end saves them.

At the halfway stage, Pakistan are struggling on 47 for six in 10 overs with Sarfaraz on eight and Wahab on two.

 Pak 42-6 (8 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

First bowling change for the Indians as medium pacer Hardik Pandya comes into the attack in place of Nehra, who bowled a superb first spell of one for 20 in three overs.

The first ball is short which Umar Akmal pulls behind square but another good piece of fielding by Yuvraj, who dives close to the boundary and keeps it down to two.

Akmal steers the third ball to thirdman for a single before Pandya strikes off the last ball of the over. Malik throws his bat at a wide delivery which moves away enough to take the edge and this time the umpire raises his finger. Pakistan struggling to get a score on the board as they are reduced to 35 for four in seven overs.

Part-time spinner Yuvraj Singh is called into the attack ahead of regular spinner Ravichandran Ashwin.

Yuvraj strikes with his very first delivery. The first ball is pitched right up as Akmal comes half forward but misses and is struck plumb in front of the stumps.

Pakistan are crumbling here as they are reduced to 35 for five in the eighth over. The onus now lies on captain Shahid Afridi, who will need to bring his experience into play and guide his team out of trouble.

Afridi gets off the mark with a single to long-on. Sarfaraz Khan cuts a wide delivery from Yuvraj through thirdman for a four to get off the mark before he miscues the sweep for a single.

And Pakistan's day keeps getting worse. Shahid Afridi commits suicide taking on the arm of Jadeja, who sends a rocket throw from the deep at backward square leg to run out the Pakistan captain for one as he looks for a close second run.

India's fielding has been top notch today and it is making a big difference!

Will Pakistan even last the 20 overs? They are in complete shambles at 42 for six in eight overs.

 Pak 32-3 (6 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Manzoor's lack of technique has been exposed by the Indian pacers. He is looking to himself out of trouble as he plays another heave off Nehra which goes to Hardik Pandya at mid-on, but a misfield results it two runs.

He shuffles across to the next ball and looks to hoick it over short fine leg but gets a glove and is caught by wicketkeeper Dhoni down the leg side. The Indians are celebrating but local umpire S I S Saikot is unmoved as the bowler keeps pleading for the wicket.

The replays show that there was clearly a glove and big noise and the Indians were unlucky not to get that wicket.

Manzoor's technique is all over the place as he goes hard at the delivery but is unable to get any timing or power on it.

Another good over by Nehra, as he concedes two runs and is unlucky not to get a wicket.

Bumrah to continue, to bowl his third over on the trot with the new ball. The first ball slides down the leg side and deflects fine off Malik's pads for four leg byes. The next ball is right on the mark as Malik is struck on the pads but the LBW appeal is turned down with the ball looking to be sliding down the leg side.

Malik plays a cracking straight drive but it is too straight and strikes the stumps at the bowler's end to deny Pakistan some runs.

Pakistan lose another wicket off the next delivery, courtesy of a run out. Malik drives it on the off-side where Kohli swoops in quickly but non-striker Manzoor has come down halfway is sent back. However, Kohli's direct hit catches him well short of the crease as he has to make his way back after a struggling innings of 10 from 18 balls.

Pakistan continue to struggle as they are reduced to 32 for three in six overs.

 Pak 26-2 (4 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Nehra bowls a leg side wide to Sharjeel Khan, who gets the strike after two overs, but takes an extra run as Dhoni fumbles.

The next ball is short as Manzoor clubs it powerfully through midwicket for a boundary, to relieve some pressure off himself. He drives the next through the covers as Jadeja does well to sprint after it and pulls it inches inside the ropes to keep it down to three.

Nehra is bowling it short this over as Sharjeel pulls it square but once again top fielding from the Indians as Bumrah dives across and stops it, giving away three runs.

Nehra pitches it up but misses the radar for another wide down the leg side. He has suddenly lost his rhythm after a wonderful first over as he concedes 13 runs in the second over with Pakistan looking to get their innings back on track after that early wicket.

Sharjeel also adopts a positive approach as he pulls a short ball from Bumrah through midwicket for a four.

Bumrah is quick to adjust his line and length as he pitches it up and slants it across the left-hander. He leaves the second ball of the over through to the keeper but goes after the next delivery, which is slightly slower and bounces a bit more. Sharjeel looks to slash it hard but gets an edge and is caught by Raina at first slip to be dismissed for seven.

A wicket each for the two Indian pacers as Pakistan find themselves in trouble at 22 for two in the fourth over.

Veteran Shoaib Malik gets off the mark in some style as he plays a stylish drive through the off-side for a four. He is beaten comprehensively off the last delivery, as Bumrah gets it to leave the right-hander, who is cut in half.

 Pak 5-1 (2 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

The young Jasprit Bumrah to bowl the second over. The first ball is pitched right up as it comes in sharply, striking Khurram on the pads but the appeal for LBW is turned down.

The next ball is quick and moves off the seam, this time the other way, as Khurram throws his bat at it recklessly and is beaten all ends up yet again.

Khurram is struggling big time as Bumrah's inswing yet again him beats him, hitting him on the pads. Three top deliveries by Bumrah to start his spell.

Khurram finally gets bat to ball as he defends the fourth ball on the leg side before getting an inside edge off the next and blocks the last ball.

Superb start by Bumrah as he starts off with a maiden to leave Pakistan struggling on five for one in two overs.

 Pak 5-1 (1 ov) vs India | Scorecard

Veteran Ashish Nehra to open the bowling for India and facing him is Mohammad Hafeez.

The first ball is defended but Hafeez drives the second ball elegantly along the ground through the covers for a boundary to get Pakistan off the mark.

Two balls later, Nehra gets revenge with a bit of extra bounce. Hafeez looked to slash it off the backfoot but got the edge and was caught behind by Dhoni for four.

Khurram Manzoor is the new batsman. He watchfully defends the first ball he faces before steering the last ball to thirdman for a single to get off the mark and also retain the strike.

Apparently, Shikhar Dhawan was ruled out with a niggle in his left ankle, which meant Rahane gets another chance to prove his credentials in the T20 format.

He has done well at the top of the order for Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League but has struggled to find a permanent slot in the Indian team for the limited overs format.

Interestingly, even if Rahane plays a good knock against Pakistan, he could still struggle to find a place in the team for the next match if Dhawan is fit to play.

Teams:

India: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain), Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ashish Nehra, Jasprit Bumrah.

Pakistan: Shahid Afridi (captain), Khurram Manzoor, Sharjeel Khan, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Umar Akmal, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Sami, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Irfan.

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has won the toss and elected to bowl against Pakistan.

India have made one change from the team which beat Bangladesh in their opening match. Shikhar Dhawan is ruled out with injury which means Ajinkya Rahane comes in and will open the batting.

Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi reveals that they are playing four fast bowlers as against India's ploy of playing two specialist fast bowlers.

It remains to be seen if India will go into the match with their full strength side or try out Harbhajan Singh or Pawan Negi, who have been warming the bench for quite some time, including the three-match series in Australia and the three-match series against Sri Lanka and the opening match of Asia Cup against Bangladesh.

Welcome to the coverage of the Asia Cup match between India and Pakistan in Mirpur, on Saturday.

Cricket's most intriguing rivalry will again be renewed when India take on an unpredictable Pakistan, with rehabilitated pacer Mohammad Aamir being the focus of attention, in a round-robin league encounter of the Asia Cup T20 tournament.

The match will also serve as a precursor to the two teams' opening round battle in the ICC World Twenty20 next month.

India-Pakistan cricket contests over the years have carried a legacy, not to forget the political undercurrents involved whenever the two bitter neighbours square off on the 22 yards strip.

But the most exciting aspect will be whether the tainted Aamir gets to play in the eleven.

Back after serving a five-year ban for spot-fixing, Aamir is playing for the national team since the tour of New Zealand. This immensely talented bowler will certainly come out all guns blazing against the Indian batsmen.

For Aamir, though, a good performance against India will probably help him gain some credibility not only in the dressing room but also among the common cricket-loving public in Pakistan.

In terms of preparation, both teams have been suitably prepared considering the amount of Twenty20 cricket they have played in the past month.