The much-anticipated showdown, Pak vs Ind, in the ongoing Asia Cup 2023 has encountered a delay, with the match now rescheduled to the reserve day on Monday. Persistent rain and a soggy outfield forced this decision.
When the rain intervened, India had raced to a score of 147/2 in 24.1 overs, with KL Rahul (17*) and Virat Kohli (8*) manning the crease.
As Sunday’s conditions proved unplayable, fans must wait for the reserve day for further action. Rahul and Kohli will pick up India’s first innings where they left off.
Earlier in the contest, after being asked to bat first, the Indian opening duo of Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill launched their team with a scintillating 121-run partnership. They dominated Pakistan’s formidable bowling unit, which includes the pace trio of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Naseem Shah.
Remarkably, both Gill and Sharma, who had faced difficulties against this same trio in the previous PAK vs. IND encounter on September 2, made a stunning comeback. Their resilience frustrated Pakistan’s bowlers until Shadab Khan finally broke through in his third over, dismissing Sharma after he reached a fifty.
Rohit Sharma contributed a brisk 49-ball 56 to the scoreboard, punctuated by six boundaries and four sixes.
Gill, meanwhile, emulated his captain’s lead but soon returned to the pavilion in the next over, deceived by Shaheen Shah Afridi’s deceptive slower delivery. He amassed a 52-ball 58, featuring an impressive ten boundaries.
Following these consecutive blows, star batsmen Virat Kohli and the returning KL Rahul took a cautious approach, holding an unbeaten 24-run partnership for the third wicket before rain intervened and disrupted the thrilling PAK vs IND clash.
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World Cup 2023: Hyderabad requests to reschedule Pakistan’s warm-up game
