"Tried Very Hard to Get Him Out, But...": Pakistan Captain Rizwan in Awe of Virat Kohli's Fitness and Masterclass Knock

Dubai [UAE], February 24 (ANI): In a high-stakes ICC Champions Trophy 2025 clash, Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan openly admitted that his team tried everything in their arsenal to dismiss Virat Kohli, but the Indian batting maestro not only evaded their plans but also single-handedly steered India to a convincing victory. Kohli’s unbeaten century all but ended Pakistan’s hopes of advancing further in the tournament, leaving Rizwan and his men stunned by the former Indian captain’s unwavering brilliance.

In a match filled with tension, electrifying moments, and an atmosphere brimming with excitement at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Virat Kohli once again justified his legendary status as the "Chase Master". Chasing a target of 242 runs, the seasoned batter showcased a masterclass in calculated aggression, precision, and fitness—qualities that have made him one of the greatest ODI players of all time.

Kohli’s Century: A Nostalgic Chase Masterclass

As Kohli walked in with the scoreboard reading 41/1, fans knew they were about to witness something special. With his usual composure, he meticulously constructed his innings, rotating the strike efficiently, piercing gaps on loose deliveries, and ensuring India never fell behind the required rate. Every run, every stroke, and every single taken with intent reminded fans of Kohli’s past chases—a symphony of patience, timing, and controlled aggression.

His century—100 off 111 balls*, including seven fours—marked a remarkable comeback, silencing critics who doubted his form. He also added yet another milestone to his illustrious career, becoming the fastest batter to reach 14,000 ODI runs. The moment he scored the winning runs, the stadium erupted in joy, celebrating a player who has defined cricket’s modern era.

Rizwan in Awe of Kohli’s Fitness and Hard Work

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Rizwan couldn’t help but admire Kohli’s work ethic and supreme fitness.

"First, let's talk about Virat Kohli. I am surprised at his hard work. He must have worked so hard. The world says he is out of form, but he comes to such big matches, which the world is waiting for, and he easily hits the ball – and this is where we don't want to give him runs. But he plays and gets away from us, and he gets the runs off the ball," Rizwan admitted.

The Pakistan captain was especially amazed at Kohli’s incredible stamina and ability to stay at the crease for an extended period without showing any signs of fatigue.

"I will definitely praise his fitness level and hard work, the way he has done it. Because he is a cricketer, and we are also cricketers. We tried very hard to get him out, but he took the game away. He has done a lot of hard work. The whole world said he was out of form – But he did it in this big match," he added.

Pakistan’s Struggles Continue in the Tournament

While Kohli’s brilliance stole the show, Rizwan did not shy away from addressing Pakistan’s shortcomings in all three departments—batting, bowling, and fielding.

"As far as the match is concerned, you are disappointed. Because when you lose, you have a difficult day, difficult things come up, and questions come up. But if you look at it all, you can't say there was a mistake in any department, except if you look at the bowling of Abrar, which was the most positive in this match. We have not made any mistakes. All three departments have made mistakes. That's why we are losing the match," Rizwan admitted.

Pakistan’s fragile batting lineup once again failed to capitalize on a strong start, losing wickets in clusters. Saud Shakeel (62) and Mohammad Rizwan (46) were the only notable contributors, while the rest of the lineup faltered under India’s disciplined bowling attack, with Kuldeep Yadav (3/40) and Hardik Pandya (2/31) leading the charge.

Pakistan’s Qualification Hangs in the Balance

With two consecutive defeats, Pakistan’s hopes of defending their Champions Trophy title now rest on a miracle. Their fate is now dependent on Bangladesh, who must defeat New Zealand in Rawalpindi on Monday to give Pakistan a slim chance of progressing to the semi-finals.

As the cricketing world continues to celebrate Virat Kohli’s match-winning performance, Pakistan will have to regroup, rethink their strategies, and pray for favorable results to keep their tournament hopes alive.