It might be a tough defeat to stomach for India, but skipper Virat Kohli showed true sportsmanship after the 10-wicket loss, as he hugged Pakistan opener and wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan, who, along with his skipper Babar Azam, scripted a famous win for Pakistan in their T20 World Cup opener in Dubai on Sunday.
After Shaheen Shah Afridi's burst of 3/31 restricted India to 151/7, Rizwan (79* off 55 balls) and Babar (68* off 52) blunted the Indian attack to overhaul the target of 152 with 2.1 overs to spare. It was Pakistan's first win in 13 matches against India so far in the history of 50-over and T20I World Cups.
But the moment that the fans will remember for a long time came after the players shook hands.
India captain Kohli walked up to Babar and Rizwan and first shook hands with Babar; and as Rizwan extended his hand, he shook hands with the Pakistan wicketkeeper and then hugged him and patted Rizwan on the head.
Rizwan looked very happy to have been applauded by Kohli in this way. It's no secret that Kohli is an idol for many in the Pakistan squad as well.
Also, a little later, MS Dhoni, the Team India mentor for the T20 World Cup, was seen having a conversation with young Pakistan players along with their ex-captain Shoaib Malik, who had huddled around the iconic former India captain.
Fans from both India and Pakistan applauded the gesture of the players and the overall spirit of sportsmanship in which the match was played.
