While the weather prediction for the India vs Pakistan match was not too positive, with most weather apps predicting rain and thunderstorms, things were rather upbeat in the morning. The rain stayed away after which the toss also took place at the scheduled time.
Pakistan captain Babar Azam won the toss and decided to bowl first. The move did not work despite some moisture on the surface as India’s openers attacked Pakistan’s bowlers. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill featured in an impressive 121-run stand for the opening wicket in 16.4 overs.
Rohit smashed 56 in 49 balls, hitting six fours and four sixes. Gill, on the other hand, scored 58 off 52 deliveries, smacking 10 fours. The opening partnership was broken when Shadab Khan deceived Rohit and had him caught brilliantly by Faheem Ashraf. Gill was then outdone by a slower one from Shaheen Afridi.
India went into the shell a bit after the dismissals of Rohit and Gill. Virat Kohli was unbeaten on 8 off 17 balls and KL Rahul on 17 off 28 when the rain came down. No further play was possible and umpires called off play for the day after multiple inspections.
India’s innings will resume at 147/2 after 24.1 overs on Monday, with Kohli and Rahul at the crease.
India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2023 Super 4 match playing XIs
Pakistan playing XI: Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Agha Salman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf
India playing XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
India brought back Jasprit Bumrah for the game, who returned after missing the match against Nepal for the birth of his child. Also, Rahul came in for Shreyas Iyer, who suffered a back spasm ahead of the game.
--By A Cricket Correspondent
