The much-awaited clash between India and Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2023 ended in a no result after rain played spoilsport in Kandy on Saturday. India were in trouble early on as they lost their top three batsmen cheaply. Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya then rescued India with a century stand and took them to 266. However, Pakistan did not get a chance to bat as rain started pouring soon after India’s innings ended. Both teams were awarded one point each for the no result.
The much-awaited clash between India and Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2023 ended in a no result after rain played spoilsport in Kandy on Saturday. The match was abandoned after India were bowled out for 266 in 48.5 overs, with no possibility of a second innings.
Highlights:
- Rain prevented a result in the Asia Cup group game between Pakistan and India in Pallekele, Sri Lanka.
- India were bowled out for 266 in 48.5 overs, with Ishan Kishan hitting 82 and Hardik Pandya scoring 87.
- Pakistan did not get a chance to chase down the target as rain started pouring soon after India’s innings ended.
- Both teams were awarded one point each for the no result.
India, who won the toss and opted to bat first, were in trouble early on as they lost their top three batsmen cheaply. Rohit Sharma (4), Shikhar Dhawan (6) and Virat Kohli (9) were all dismissed by Pakistan’s pace attack, led by Shaheen Afridi, who finished with 4-35.
India’s middle order then staged a recovery, thanks to a brilliant 82 by Ishan Kishan and a fiery 87 by Hardik Pandya. The duo added 128 runs for the fifth wicket and took India past 200. Kishan hit seven fours and four sixes in his 77-ball knock, while Pandya smashed six fours and five sixes in his 62-ball innings.
However, once Kishan fell to Hasan Ali in the 41st over, India lost their momentum and wickets in quick succession. Pandya was the last man out, caught by Babar Azam off Afridi in the penultimate over. India could not bat out their full quota of 50 overs and were all out for 266.
Pakistan did not get a chance to chase down the target as rain started pouring soon after India’s innings ended. The umpires waited for more than two hours before calling off the match. Both teams were awarded one point each for the no result.
The match was expected to be a high-voltage encounter between the arch-rivals, who have not played a bilateral series since 2013 due to political tensions. The last time they met in an ODI was in the 2019 World Cup, where India won by 89 runs (DLS method).
The Asia Cup is a biennial tournament featuring six teams from the continent. India are the defending champions, having won the title in 2018 in UAE. The tournament is being held in Sri Lanka this year, with Colombo and Kandy as the venues.
The top two teams from each group will qualify for the Super Four stage, where they will play each other once. The top two teams from the Super Four will then advance to the final, which will be held on September 14 in Colombo.
India are currently placed second in Group A with three points from two matches, behind Afghanistan who have four points from two matches. Pakistan are third with one point from one match. The other team in Group A is Sri Lanka.