India vs Pakistan, T20 World Cup 2016 as it happened

That is all for this particular blog, but IBTimes UK will be back on Sunday morning to bring you live coverage of South Africa vs Afghanistan from Mumbai.

We will also be across Sri Lanka's meeting with the West Indies later in the day. Until then, goodnight.

Masterful batting from Kohli as his 37-ball 55 keeps India's 100% record against their fiercest rivals in World Cup tournaments intact. Yuvraj's 24 also played a part as the hosts bounce back from their opening day horror show against New Zealand to secure a morale-boosting victory in front of a noisy crowd at Eden Gardens.

Dhoni's side move on to Bangalore next, where they play Bangladesh at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Wednesday. Pakistan, meanwhile, face a potentially crucial tie against the Black Caps in Mohali.

India beat Pakistan by six wickets

16th over - India 119-4

Irfan tries a slower ball to Kohli outside off that is smacked away for four by a rare square cut. Dhoni gets in on the act by walloping down the ground for six before another single seals the victory for India.

15th over - India 106-4

Just brilliant batting from Kohli as he scores another four with his latest cover drive before a quick single brings up 50. One more each from the over and India now require 13 from the final 18 balls.

Surely nothing Pakistan can do now.

14th over - India 99-4

Two each for Kohli and Dhoni as Amir looks to restore some order before the former spots a gap at cover for four.

Pakistan, desperately in need of quick wickets, turn back to Amir. But is it too late?

13th over - India 91-4

An excellent Kohli cover drive off Afridi brings up four more runs. He picks up a further two from the over and Dhoni takes a single.

12th over - India 84-4

Riaz with a very short ball that Yuvraj, stepping back in his crease, leathers away for a big six. A profitable partnership is then brought to an end as the same man mishits a shot straight to Sami in the deep.

The umpires ask him to wait around as they check the front foot, but all looks fine and he trudges back to the pavilion.

Is that a lifeline for Pakistan? Skipper Dhoni joins Kohli at the crease.

Wicket - Yuvraj (24) c Sami b Riaz (India 84-4)

11th over - India 74-3

Two costly wides from Malik before Kohli scores his first six and the 150th of the tournament overall with an attempted sweep that takes a big top edge before sailing over the fielder stationed at backward square leg.

He then punches through mid-wicket for four. 45 from 42 the target now.

India need 59 from their final 48 balls for victory in Kolkata.

10th over - India 60-3

Instant frustration for Riaz as his opening ball is lofted over mid-wicket by Kohli and through for four after Khan fails to prevent the boundary. Another single takes him on to 20. Yuvraj also notches one.

Wahab Riaz, a seasoned left-arm quick, is the next bowler to step up.

Ninth over - India 54-3

Yuvraj gloves Malik to slip, but there is no-one there to take what would have been a simple catch. A nice sweep from the veteran then produces two, with Khan able to prevent the boundary.

Another couple takes India to eight from the over.

Pakistan to ramp up the spin now as Malik takes over from Sami. Kohli on 13 and Yuvraj on nine.

Eighth over - India 46-3

Wise caution from Kohli, who recognises Malik's speed in the field and declines Yuvraj's offer for a risky second run off Afridi. A flurry of six singles keeps the scoreboard ticking over for India.

Seventh over - India 40-3

A sumptuous strike from Kohli, who guides Sami's delivery away for four with trademark technique. A cover drive from Yuvraj brings up his first boundary, although he is slightly fortunate that there is no fielder around to catch his next hit.

Two more for Kohli as India begin to flex their muscles a little.

Sixth over - India 28-3

Five off the over, including two wides. Yuvraj off and running with a single.

Afridi out now to test Yuvraj and Kohli with a helping of spin...

Fifth over - India 23-3

No hat-trick for Sami as he hits the thigh of Yuvraj Singh. No leg bye, either.

Well, well, well.

Sami, not always the most popular of Pakistan's bowling attack, earns himself a shot at a hat-trick with a quick ball to Suresh Raina that takes an inside edge on to the stumps.

That's a first-ball duck for the Gujarat Lions batsman.

Wicket - Raina (0) b Sami (India 23-3)

Not the best start for Sami, who is instantly smashed for four by a textbook cut from Dhawan before bowling a no ball. His confidence is clearly not shaken, however, as he gets his revenge by forcing the Indian opener to play on to his own stumps.

Wicket - Dhawan (6) b Sami (India 23-2)

Mohammad Sami takes over from Amir...

Fourth over - India 18-1

Better from Irfan, with Dhawan and new man Kohli scoring only two runs between them.

Third over - India 16-1

A great spell for Amir as he gets a wicket and concedes only two leg byes.

Sharma, in confident mood after those two boundaries, tries to exploit the powerplay restrictions but does not connect cleanly with a big shot attempt and Malik leaves his position at cover to take a nice catch.

Wicket - Sharma (10) c Malik b Amir (India 14-1)

Second over - India 14-0

Irfan's first delivery is cut away for four by Sharma. He then gives up a wide before three dot balls, including a fine piece of fielding by Shehzad.

A second boundary for Sharma, who has no trouble in pulling a short ball away for another four. That was an expensive over.

The towering figure of Mohammad Irfan to bowl next. Will Pakistan regret leaving out specialist spinner Imad Wasim on a pitch like this? World-class leggie Yasir Shah is currently serving a three-month ban after admitting to a doping offence.

First over - India 4-0

A dangerous first ball from Amir causes no end of concern for Sharma. India get off the mark with a wide and a leg bye before both batsmen take a single each. Dhawan misses with a lazy swing. Four from the opening over.

Amir, who took two wickets against Bangladesh earlier this week, to take the first crack at openers Sharma and Dhawan.

So India are left needing to score 119 from 18 overs (6.61 runs per over).

It sounds achievable, but can they do it after that batting collapse against New Zealand? We are about to find out...

That was an efficient last six deliveries from Bumrah. Pakistan endured a slow start with the amount of turn in the pitch, so will probably be content with their final total.

Can Afridi's formidable pace attack now take the initiative to secure a memorable win over their greatest rivals?

18th over - Pakistan 118-5

Both batsmen nick quick singles before taking a risky double after some great fielding from Jadeja. Bumrah, chosen ahead of Ashwin for the final over, continues to bowl yorkers and India concede two byes but restrict Pakistan to 118-5.

17th over - Pakistan 111-5

Nehra with a full toss that is safely negotiated away for four by Ahmed. He then swings at a slower ball bouncer but fails to make contact. He wants it to be given as a wide, but nothing is signalled by the umpire.

One over left to come.

A second wicket falls in the space of two deliveries, Malik with a huge top edge that is caught well by Ashwin.

Mohammad Hafeez to the crease.

Wicket - Malik (26) c Ashwin b Nehra (Pakistan 105-5)

16th over - Pakistan 103-4

Good running from new man Sarfraz Ahmed to notch two from his first ball.

Pakistan bring up their 100 courtesy of a sweep from Malik that goes for four, but that joy is tempered as Akmal edges behind to Dhoni.

Wicket - Akmal (22) c Dhoni b Jadeja (Pakistan 101-4)

15th over - Pakistan 95-3

Bumrah oversteps the mark, gives away two more runs and invites a free hit. A full toss is then smacked past the diving Dhawan for four by Malik, who follows that up with another boundary. Expensive over for India as Pakistan attempt to pile on the runs.

14th over - Pakistan 82-3

Two singles to open the over before Malik is confronted with a bouncer. The all-rounder then produces the first six of the innings by dispatching a slower ball out of the middle of the bat and over deep midwicket into the stands.

Pandya tries another slow delivery and gets the same result as Akmal hits a flat shot down the ground. Poor bowling but a great return of 15 for Pakistan.

13th over - Pakistan 67-3

New batsman Shoaib Malik is off the mark with a single. Akmal moves on to 12 but only two runs in total from the over.

12th over - Pakistan 65-3

A poor end to the over for India as Akmal nudges to backward point for a single, but Pakistan end up being gifted five when a questionable run out attempt rebounds off the stumps and away for four.

Replays confirm that he was comfortably in.

A leg bye for Afridi as he takes new bowler Pandya's first ball to the body. Akmal then lets loose with a tidy pull shot for his maiden boundary.

The captain goes too early with a similar strike but succeeds only in picking out Kohli. That's a big wicket for India.

Wicket - Afridi (8) c Kohli b Pandya (Pakistan 60-3)

11th over - Pakistan 54-2

Jadeja with more sharp turn and Afridi almost gets himself into a sticky situation chasing an ill-advised single. Akmal is stumped by Dhoni but his foot never left the crease.

Just three from the over.

10th over - Pakistan 51-2

Confident batting from Shehzad to dispatch a quick delivery from Bumrah over short fine leg, but he is ousted with the next ball as a meaty top edge is collected by Jadeja. Umar Akmal is in.

Afridi responds with a top edge of his own that flies away for a slightly fortunate boundary.

Wicket - Shehzad (25) c Jadeja b Bumrah (Pakistan 46-2)

Ninth over - Pakistan 42-1

It's really amazing to see how much turn there is on this pitch, which is proving massively difficult to bat on. Jadeja limits Shehzad and Afridi to three runs between them.

Skipper Afridi is in to partner Shehzad...

Eighth over - Pakistan 39-1

A breakthrough for India and it's a tremendous sprinting catch from Hardik Pandya to dismiss Khan at mid-on. He looks to have hurt himself during a heavy fall and will require treatment.

Wicket - Khan (18) c Pandya b Raina (Pakistan 38-1)

Seventh over - Pakistan 34-0

Left-arm spinner Jadeja gives up a wide with his first ball of the evening. He then gets it to turn nicely to Khan's leg-side and Dhoni takes the catch, but that clearly hit nothing but pad.

More wicked turn, but Shehzad maintains his composure to sneak another boundary through third man. An lbw shout on the 24-year-old is quickly dismissed.

Sixth over - Pakistan 26-0

A couple for both Shehzad and Khan there. No joy yet for Ashwin, despite his menacing spin.

Fifth over - Pakistan 24-0

Shehzad nicks a single but Khan looks to be really struggling to get his eye in early on. As I type that, he cuts a shorter delivery to the cover boundary for four. That's more like it.

Right-arm paceman Jasprit Bumrah comes into the attack.

Fourth over - Pakistan 19-0

Shehzad registers his first four with a confident strike. Seven from the over. The ball continues to turn wildly for Ashwin, which means that the typically dry pitch cannot have retained much moisture.

Third over - Pakistan 12-0

A conservative beginning from Pakistan as they take just three runs. If the pitch continues to turn as it did during Ashwin's first six deliveries, you get the feeling that they are going to have to score heavily off India's pace attack.

Hold on a moment, we have our first boundary as Khan flicks a well-timed shot through the gap at backward square leg for four. That will do his confidence the world of good.

Second over - Pakistan 5-0

Ashwin to deliver his off-spin. After an initial dot ball, he turns one into left-hander Khan that almost results in a stumping from wicket-keeper Dhoni. Beautiful bowling that gives up just one run and a bye.

Good start from India.

First over - Pakistan 3-0

Khan gets off the mark with a single. Shehzad does likewise. The former then tries to find a gap at backward point but Ravindra Jadeja is there to cut it out.

One more for Khan and that's three from the over in total. An uncertain Shahzad chips one some way short of Nehra and will breath a sigh of relief.

With the national anthems complete, we are set to get underway at long last in what is undeniably one of the biggest sporting events on the planet. A superb atmosphere building inside Eden Gardens, as you might expect.

Pakistan openers Sharjeel Khan and Ahmed Shehzad are at the crease. Ashish Nehra to begin the bowling.

Here we go...

India: Sharma, Dhawan, Kohli, Raina, Singh, Dhoni (c), Pandya, Jadeja, Ashwin, Nehra, Bumrah

Pakistan: Sharjeel, Shehzad, Hafeez, Umar Akmal, Malik, Sarfaraz, Afridi (c), Wahab, Sami, Ami, Irfan

No changes for India, Dhoni announces. Confirmed lineups to come in a few moments...

Dhoni flicks the coin, Afridi calls heads and it lands on tails. India have won the toss and elected to field first.

That's probably a sensible decision given the rain and prevailing uncertainty as to the condition of the pitch.

Dhoni and Afridi finally wander out to the crease. Toss coming up shortly...

Confirmation of that news that this match will be 18 overs per side, with five overs of powerplay.

It sounds like the toss is going to happen at 20.10 IST (14.40 GMT), with play finally scheduled to start 20 minutes later.

Looks as if we are going to get 18 overs per innings.

Indian film star Amitabh Bachchan is now addressing the stadium to warm applause...

A deafening noise greets Sachin Tendulkar to the platform. Sunil Gavaskar, Imran Khan and Wasim Akram are some of the other greats to be presented with gifts and bouquets of flowers from West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee in front of a capacity 66,000 crowd at Eden Gardens.

The pre-match presentations are underway, so hopefully we shouldn't be too far removed from some actual cricket now...

In other news from around the tournament, Sri Lanka have named leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay as a replacement for injured talisman Lasith Malinga.

The ICC have also confirmed that Bangladesh duo Taskin Ahmed and Arafat Sunny have been suspended from international bowling with immediate effect due to illegal actions. Both men were reported after the eight-run win over the Netherlands in Dharamsala on 9 March.

"Arafat's analysis revealed that the elbow extension for majority of his deliveries had exceeded the 15 degrees' level of tolerance permitted under the ICC Regulations for the Review of Bowlers Reported with Suspected Illegal Bowling Actions, while not all of Taskin's deliveries were legal," the governing body confirmed in an official statement.

"As a consequence of these suspensions, the Bangladesh cricket team is permitted to apply to the ICC World Twenty20 India 2016 Event Technical Committee for approval to replace the two bowlers in the squad for the remainder of the event.

"In accordance with Article 6.1 of the ICC Regulations, Arafat's and Taskin's international suspensions will also be recognised and enforced by all the Members for domestic cricket events played in their own jurisdiction. However, with the consent of Bangladesh Cricket Board, the two bowlers may be able to play in domestic cricket events played in Bangladesh under its auspices."

Is the India-Pakistan rivalry bigger than the Ashes? Ashwin seems to think so...

This rivalry is huge, it's probably bigger than the Ashes, (fans) don't watch this game as a game of cricket, they watch it more as a border rivalry. It's about getting one over the other, as far as people are concerned it's about putting the emotions into the game. For the players it's about taking the emotion out of it.

I don't think anyone has an edge, if we can race up and try and play to our potential we can win ... we are used to playing a lot of India, Pakistan games and every game that India plays is a pressure game.

If there is an international team that can put (a loss) behind and move forward it is us, and it's not the first time it has happened to us, we have done it in the past. It's a T20 World Cup; we've almost put ourselves in a position where we will have to win every game ... It's the same approach, we manage to keep the pressure away from our preparations and the match itself

The toss has been delayed as work continues to get the covers off and assess the condition of the outfield. The word at the moment is that we will still get a full 20-over match today.

Let's hope so. After the inevitably colossal build-up to this contest, it would be a shame to see it scuppered by the weather.

A pitch update now from the ICC. It's looking positive with both the strip and the bowler's run-up areas having been double covered. Hopefully the sheen of surface water is not too bad and we can get a full day's play.

We should also mention the recent Asia Cup meeting between India and Pakistan from Dhaka in Bangladesh, where the eventual winners lost by one wicket with only two deliveries remaining.

Hafeez and Shehzad were vital to the cause that day too, along with Afridi and Sohaib Maqsood.

As looked sadly inevitable, the weather has forced an end to play in the women's match and Pakistan claim victory by two runs on the Duckworth-Lewis method.

There is also a Women's World T20 group match taking place between these two countries today. Pakistan require another 20 runs with four wickets and 24 balls remaining in pursuit of India's 96-7, but rain delays in Delhi have seen play suspended.

With the cut-off point looming, it seems unlikely that there will be any more action to come in that one.

The weather in Kolkata has been providing cause for concern ahead of a scheduled 14.00 GMT start, with torrential rain and gusty winds accompanied by thunder and forks of lightening.

Hopefully we are able to start on time, although delays might be inevitable if the conditions persist.

By contrast, Pakistan opened the tournament with a comprehensive 55-run defeat of Bangladesh in Kolkata. Ahmed Shehzad and Mohammad Hafeez made 52 and 64 respectively, while captain Shahid Afridi contributed a brilliant 19-ball 49 to build a lead of 201-5.

The Tigers ended their chase on 146-6 as Afridi and Mohammad Amir both took two wickets each.

A formidable record of 10 victories from 11 T20 internationals in 2016 led to India being established as the firm favourites for this tournament, but the hosts were given a rude awakening in their opener against New Zealand in Nagpur on Tuesday.

Having only been set a target of 127 for victory, MS Dhoni's side performed abysmally with the bat and were bowled out for just 79 in 18.1 overs. The skipper made 30 and Kohli added 23, but off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was the next highest-scorer with just 10.

Victory today is essential for their hopes of progressing through to the semi-finals.

India boast a flawless record at major competitions against their great rivals, having never before lost to Pakistan in six World Cup fixtures between the two nations.

More than a billion people tuned in to watch their memorable meeting at the 50-over tournament in Adelaide in February 2015, a match that the Men in Blue won by 76 runs thank to 107 from the imperious Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan's 73.

Mohammed Shami claimed figures of four for 35 that day, a haul that included the wicket of dangerman Misbah-ul-Haq. Sohail Khan took 5-55 but it was not enough to stop that losing run.

Today's encounter was originally due to take place at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala, but was eventually moved to Eden Gardens due to security concerns.

One of the world's fiercest rivalries is reignited today as hosts India meet neighbours Pakistan in their hotly-anticipated ICC World Twenty20 2016 Super 10, Group 2 meeting at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

If it is live coverage you seek then stay tuned to IBTimes UK as we provide over-by-over updates throughout the afternoon...