India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni praises players after eight-wicket victory over Pakistan

Last updated: 1st October 2012  

India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni praises players after eight-wicket victory over Pakistan

Mahendra Singh Dhoni: Delighted with the way his players handled pressure

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Mahendra Singh Dhoni hailed his team's attitude after India kept their World Twenty20 challenge alive with victory over Pakistan.

Needing to win the game to stay in the tournament, India's bowlers limited their arch-rivals to 128 all out and then Virat Kohli smashed an unbeaten 78 from 61 balls to lead his side to victory with three overs still to spare.

"We did not think too far ahead," said Dhoni. "I always felt that if you are desperate for a win you put more pressure on yourself.

"But I was glad to see the players were relaxed and I knew that something good will come out of it."

He added: "(The) performance was a really a good one because the part timers contributed, the spinners bowled well and also the fast bowlers.

"The first two overs we gave away bit of runs. But after that I felt we were quite consistent."

Lifeline

Pakistan's total of 128 was never going to be enough, but bowler Raza Hasan did give the team an early lifeline when he removed Gautam Gambhir with the second ball of the innings.

However, Kohli stepped up to the plate and took the game away from Pakistan.

"It was not easy to bat out there and we just did not get the partnerships," said Pakistan skipper Mohammad Hafeez.

"Kohli was excellent. We were hoping to get him out and put pressure on the rest but we could not do that.

"We also need to improve our fielding but it is a relief that we still have a chance to qualify for the semis."