Asia Cup 2023: Pakistan VS India Played at Pallekelle, Kandy, Sri Lanka on 2 September 2023
India 266 All Out in 48.5 Overs (Hardik Pandya 87, Ishan Kishan 82, Jasprit Bumrah 16, Shreyas Iyer 14, Ravindra Jadeja 14, Shaheen Shah Afridi 4/35, Naseem Shah 3/36, Haris Rauf 3/55)
Pakistan could not bat for rain interruption
No result
The much-awaited epic contest of two traditional rivals India and Pakistan ended with no result as rain ruined the high voltage match after Indian innings. Pakistan winning the first match against lowly Nepal and splitting the points with India advanced as the first country to the group of four. India in most likelihood will join them after playing their remaining match against Nepal.
Cricket enthusiast world over always wait with great enthusiasm for the Pakistan -India match in whatever format they play as they no longer appear in bilateral contest. These two are the most followed teams of the world having some of the all-time greats and top performers of world cricket. Yesterday was no exception. All were keen to witness the dog fight of brilliant Indian top order batsmen Rohit and Virat against fast furious fast bowlers of Pakistan. Likewise, fans were also eager to witness how Bumrah and Siraj encounter Babar Azam, Imam ul Haq and co. But the thirst of the cricket admirers remained half met as rain ruined the match after Indian innings completed at 266 all out. Pakistan could not bat. The match was delicately poised at that stage.
Indian top order ran into trouble early on as Shaeen Shah Afridi swinging the new ball at pace and Haris Rauf bowling fast and furious pegged Indian top order unleashing some terrific deliveries. Rohit and Kohli were undone by Shaheen, while Haris accounted for Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill. India at 66/4 in 14.1 looked like getting bundled out cheaply. But as soon as three pacers Shaeen, Rauf and Naseem were out of the attack young Indian talents flamboyant Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya counter attacked. Pakistan bowling and fielding looked ragged.
Indian 5th wicket partnership plundering Pakistan’s friendly spin attack rescued the team adding 138 runs. But Haris Rauf, Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah returning to the attack run through Indian middle and late order again bowling brilliantly. 6 Indian wickets fell for 62 runs as Indian innings was wrapped up for 266. On a too paced wicket it could be a competitive score. But who knows how the wicket would have behaved under flood light and had the match resumed after few spells of rain. Shaeen claimed 4 wickets for 35 runs, Nassem took 3 for 36 while Haris was a bit expensive taking 3 for 58. Unfortunately, rain did not allow start of Pakistan innings and the match ended with no result and points splitting.
The two teams will meet at group of four and in all probability will meet in the final. However, the match yesterday will assist the team in fine tuning their game plan. Perhaps Pakistan will need a fourth seamer option. India will need a bit of thought about strategy against Pakistani pace attack.
BDST: 1010 HRS, SEP 03, 2023
SMS
