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Pakistan was pursuing its archrival"s 184-run mark.

Mohammad Rizwan scored 71 as Pakistan defeated India by five wickets in their Asia Cup Super Four opener on Sunday.

In Dubai, Pakistan chased 182 with one ball to spare thanks to a 73-run stand between Rizwan and the left-handed Mohammad Nawaz (42).

Virat Kohli"s 60 earlier took India to 181-7 after being put in to bat first in the tournament, which serves as a warm-up for the T20 World Cup in October-November.

Kohli leads India to a 181-7 victory over Pakistan.

India made 181-7 against Pakistan in their first Super Four encounter at the Asia Cup on Sunday, with star batsman Virat Kohli hitting his second consecutive fifty.

Kohli, who smashed 60 off 44 balls before being run out in the last over, helped India overcome a stuttering middle-order to record a competitive score after being put in to bat first in Dubai.

In front of a crowded stadium, he reached his 32nd half-century in 36 balls, with a six off pace bowler Mohammad Hasnain.

Shadab Khan, a leg spinner, stood out with figures of 2-31 from four overs.

India skipper Rohit Sharma came out firing in the first over, smashing fast bowler Naseem Shah for six and four.

KL Rahul, Naseem"s opening partner, quickly took the hint to smack him for two shattering shots over the fence.

The openers scored 54 runs quickly and tried to take advantage of the powerplay, which allows only two fielders beyond the inner circle, by hitting lofted smashes, but Rohit fell after he mistimed Haris Rauf.

As Rohit returned after hitting 28 off 16 balls in the sixth over, Khushdil Shah clutched to a sky-high catch.

In the next over, Shadab struck to end Rahul"s stay on 28, while left-arm orthodox spinner Mohammad Nawaz dismissed the dangerous Suryakumar Yadav for 13.

Kohli, who has gradually emerged from his slump with scores of 35 and 59 in the previous two outings, kept the score ticking and grabbed the odd boundary.

However, Pakistan continued to pick up wickets, including left-handed Rishabh Pant for 14 and Hardik Pandya for a second-ball duck off Hasnain.

Mohammad Rizwan, the wicketkeeper, had an injury scare when he landed awkwardly on his right leg in an attempt to stop a bouncer, but he was allowed to continue.

Fakhar Zaman faltered twice in the deep, including dropping a catch that reached the ropes, as Ravi Bishnoi finished the innings with two boundaries.

Pakistan wins the toss and chooses to bowl first against India.

Pakistan captain Babar Azam won the toss and chose to bat first against India in an Asia Cup Super Four Twenty20 international on Sunday.

The two Asian behemoths face for the second time in the six-nation event, following India"s group-stage victory over Pakistan last week.

Pakistan has made one change from their 155-run group stage thrashing of Hong Kong, with pace bowler Mohammad Hasnain replacing the injured Shahnawaz Dahani, who was ruled out owing to a suspected side strain.

"We"ll start with bowling. The dew could be an issue, which is why we"re bowling first "Azam stated during the coin toss.

"We took a lot of positives from our previous match against India. The message is to play optimistically."

India, who advanced to the Super Four stage with wins over Pakistan and Hong Kong, have made three changes to their team, with Hardik Pandya returning to the XI after being rested in the last match.

Ravindra Jadeja, who was forced out of the tournament with an injured knee, and Avesh Khan, who is recovering from illness, have been replaced by leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi and all-rounder Deepak Hooda.

Skipper Rohit Sharma stated that if he had won the toss, they would have bowled first as well, but that playing freely in the much-anticipated match would be critical.

"We would have bowled first, but now we need to play freely and score well on this surface," Rohit remarked.

"In this format, momentum is everything; you have to be right from the start and not care about external influences."

Rohit stated that Jadeja has come home and that selecting the team for their first Super Four match was a "headache."

Due to political concerns, the fierce adversaries only face each other in multi-nation events.

The top two teams at the completion of the Super Four stage will compete in the final on September 11 at the same location.

The tournament serves as a warm-up for the T20 World Cup, which will be held in Australia in October and November.