New Delhi: The match between India and Pakistan at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Saturday was called off due to persistent rain. In the first innings, India had scored a total of 266 runs.
Due to the match being cancelled, both India and Pakistan will share one point each. As a result, Pakistan has secured a spot in the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup tournament.
In the first innings of the high-octane clash, the Indian middle order displayed resilience after losing four early wickets. India managed to post a competitive total of 266 runs in their Asia Cup 2023 campaign opener at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Saturday.
Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya’s much-needed 138-run partnership off 140 balls helped India post a total of 266 runs. Kishan scored 82 runs off 81 balls, while Pandya, the highest run-scorer for the Indian side, contributed 87 runs off 90 balls. The Men in Blue were all out for 266 in 48.5 overs.
Shaheen Shah Afridi emerged as the highest wicket-taker, wreaking havoc on India’s top order by dismissing Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya, and Ravindra Jadeja. Haris Rauf also made significant contributions by claiming the wickets of Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, and Ishan Kishan, while Naseem Shah secured a three-wicket haul, dismissing Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, and Jasprit Bumrah.
Earlier, India won the toss against Pakistan in their opening game of the Asia Cup 2023 and opted to bat in the match being played at Pallekele Stadium in Kandy, Sri Lanka.
India’s Playing XI: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.
Pakistan’s Playing XI: Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam(c), Mohammad Rizwan(w), Agha Salman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf.