The group stage encounter between India and Pakistan was canceled due to inclement weather, resulting in both teams receiving a solitary point each. As a result of this outcome, Pakistan has accumulated three points from two matches, with their initial two points stemming from a victory against Nepal, allowing them to secure a place in the Super Four stage.
India, on the other hand, now possesses just one point and will need to defeat Nepal in their upcoming match on September 4 to progress to the Super Four stage. In the match, India batted first and posted a total of 266 runs in 48.5 overs. Despite the return of pacer Jasprit Bumrah, the Indian team was unable to showcase their bowling prowess, as persistent rain prevented further action.
The standout performances for India were Ishan Kishan’s fearless 82 runs and Hardik Pandya’s explosive batting display at Pallekele, which laid the foundation for India’s final score. Unfortunately for India, Pakistan’s pace attack proved too formidable, causing the top order to crumble during their Asia Cup 2023 opener at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.
Shaheen Shah Afridi played a pivotal role for Pakistan, dismantling India’s top order and dismissing key batsmen such as Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya, and Ravindra Jadeja. Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah also contributed with three-wicket hauls each.
Play was initially disrupted by rain when India was 15-0 after 4.2 overs, but Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill managed to stabilize the innings. However, Afridi’s impressive in-swinging delivery dismissed Rohit, followed by Kohli’s departure, leaving India struggling at 30-2 after 7 overs.
Shreyas Iyer tried to steady the innings, but his dismissal off Haris Rauf’s short ball added to India’s woes. After rain interruptions, Ishan Kishan resumed India’s innings with an aggressive six off Rauf.
Hardik Pandya joined Kishan, and the duo managed to push India’s total beyond the 100-run mark in under 20 overs. They continued to rotate the strike and capitalize on loose deliveries, both reaching their respective half-centuries.
Their partnership reached 138 runs, but Haris Rauf eventually broke it by removing Kishan in the 38th over. Pandya continued to impress, scoring boundaries, but he was dismissed by Afridi, nearing his century.
The late-order batsmen struggled against Pakistan’s pace attack, resulting in India being bowled out for 266 in 48.5 overs. Pakistan’s Naseem Shah took the final wickets, ending India’s innings.
As a result, India-Pakistan group stage match ended in a draw due to rain, with Pakistan securing a spot in the Super Four stage, while India must win their next match against Nepal to advance. The match featured notable performances by Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya, but Pakistan’s pace bowlers, led by Shaheen Shah Afridi, played a pivotal role in India’s downfall.
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