Persistent rain in Pallekele led to a no-result ending in the highly anticipated Asia Cup battle between India vs Pakistan on Saturday. While Pakistan managed to all-out India for 266 in 48.5 overs, Shaheen Shah Afridi’s outstanding 4-35 played a crucial role in it. The match was abandoned without getting a single ball bowled in the second innings due to continuous rain.
Babar Azam’s Pakistan has successfully moved to the Super Four stage of the tournament by clinching their opening match in this key 50-over event, which acts as a significant buildup to the next World Cup in India later this year.
Brief interruptions due to rain led to a hindrance in the game, causing the ground staff to remove the coverings. During this break, umpires deliberated over the prospect of setting a reduced target for Pakistan. Unfortunately, another spell of showers ultimately brought the match to a sudden stoppage.
Next on India’s schedule is a matchup versus Asia Cup newcomers Nepal in their last Group A fixture, set for Tuesday at the same stadium.
In their tournament opener, India decided to bat first but faced early trouble at 66-4, courtesy of a devastating opening delivery by the left-arm quick, Shaheen Shah Afridi. Nevertheless, Ishan Kishan (82) and Hardik Pandya (87) organized an amazing revival with a partnership totaling 138 runs, enabling their team to record a competitive total. However, rain continued to hamper play, having the final say after three interruptions.
Shaheen Afridi played a significant role in troubling the opposition’s top order, grabbing the crucial wickets of Indian skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, both dismissed by bowled deliveries. Ishan Kishan, the left-handed batsman, counter-attacked with an array of boundaries, pushing the opposition bowlers with Pandya.
In an attempt to break the partnership, Shaheen was given a two-over burst, but Kishan, amidst loud applause from the fans and annoyance from the Pakistani camp due to their on-ground fielding lapses, hit his fifty.
Earlier, Rohit managed a few boundaries off Shaheen but fell prey to the pace spearhead’s retaliation, losing his stumps following a 33-minute play interruption. Shaheen further hushed the mostly Indian audience by removing Kohli (4) by an inside edge onto the stumps.
Rauf added to India’s difficulties by withdrawing the returning Shreyas Iyer as the team slumped to 48-3 and then lost opener Shubman Gill for 10 following a second rain delay. Kishan, with his 81-ball knock comprising nine fours and two sixes, was finally sent back after a remarkable effort.
Pandya took the assault, scoring three boundaries off Rauf in an over but ended up losing his wicket to Shaheen. The Indian innings eventually finished up with the departure of the number 10 batsman, Jasprit Bumrah, for 16, courtesy of Naseem, with the total standing at 48.5 overs.
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