India vs Pakistan Highlights of Asia Cup 2023: IND vs PAK Group A Match Called Due to Rain in Pallekele

Much to the disappointment of the fans, the India vs Pakistan match in Asia Cup 2023 has been called off due to rain. The start of the second innings was delayed due to rain and it had stopped for a while and it came down again, prompting such a call to be made. With this result, Pakistan have qualified for the Super 4 four round while India would hope to do the same with a win over Nepal in their next Group A game on September 4. A lot to take away for both teams from this match though, with India needing to work on their top-order batting, especially against left-arm pace and also Ishan Kishan's potential spot in the batting order. Pakistan on the other hand, would be happy with the way their fast bowlers performed in this contest and would head into the Super Four stage with a lot of confidence. 

The cut-off time for a 20-over match between India and Pakistan is 10:27 pm IST (Indian Standard Time). Rain has brought about a big delay to the second innings of this match. Initially, a pitch inspection was to take place at 9pm IST and the covers were brought back on again, much to the agony of fans at the Pallekele Cricket Stadium. 

The rain has come down again at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium and the covers are back on. Earlier, there was a pitch inspection scheduled for 9pm but things look grim out there in the middle. It is almost for certain that overs will be lost now in the second innings. India scored 266 in the first innings and here are the possible targets that Pakistan can chase if it is a rain-curtailed match. The target will be 245 if match is reduced to 45 overs, 239 if it is reduced to 40 overs, 203 for 30 overs and 155 in 20 overs.

Rain has stopped at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium and there will be a pitch inspection conducted at 9:00 pm local time (which is the same as IST). In all likelihood, we would have a rain-curtailed match on our hands and soon, a revised total as per DLS would be given. 

The rain has come down heavily again at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium and it seems we can have a rain-curtailed second innings. The whole ground is under covers and the signs are not looking promising at the moment. The DLS calculations is set to begin soon. 

What a first half it has been! Pakistan were all over India in the initial stages of the game with Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill back in the hut. But a remarkable partnership between Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya, which yielded 138 runs, took India from a grim position to a competitive score here. Pakistan's pacers finished the innings off as they had started and India have a competitive score on the board. It would not be easy for Pakistan to chase down and a lot of eyeballs would on India's new ball bowlers. 

OUT! Naseem Shah has dismissed Jasprit Bumrah and India have been bowled out for 266 runs in 48.4 overs. What a performance of fast bowling it has been for Pakistan! Shaheen Afridi finished with four wickets, while Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf took three wickets apiece. India have a competitive total on the board and now, it is up to the bowlers to defend this. Jasprit Bumrah c Agha Salman b Naseem Shah 16(14)

OUT! Naseem Shah has another wicket and it is of Kuldeep Yadav. The tail-ender edged the ball behind to Mohammad Rizwan, who did not fumble in taking the simple catch. India would need Jasprit Bumrah to take them to a score above 270 here. Kuldeep Yadav c Mohammad Rizwan b Naseem Shah 4(13)

And Shaheen Afridi (4/35) caps off a fine performance against India in this high-octane contest. The premier left-arm bowler finishes with four wickets, which includes the wickets of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja. What a spell it has been!

OUT! One more wicket and Naseem Shah is finally on the wickets' column! Shardul Thakur went for a shot on the leg side but instead found a leading edge and Shadab Khan ended up taking a good catch. India are eight down now and things have changed pretty quickly! Shardul Thakur c Shadab Khan b Naseem Shah 3(3)

OUT! One more and Shaheen Afridi has continued from where he left off earlier! This time, he has gotted ride of Ravindra Jadeja, who can really hit it out of the park! Ravindra Jadeja c Mohammad Rizwan b Shaheen Afridi 14(22)

OUT! Shaheen Afridi again! And he has dismissed Hardik Pandya this time with a slower ball! The right-hander was deceived by the ball and he hit it straight to Salman Agha at cover. He is absolutely heartbroken and this is another crucial moment of the match. Hardik Pandya c Agha Salman b Shaheen Afridi 87(90) 

Hardik Pandya has started to switch gears in this match, hitting Haris Rauf for some crisp boundaries on both sides of the wicket. He has batted with a lot of maturity and now, he has the license to play freely and bring out the big shots with 10 overs remaining in the innings. 

OUT! Pakistan finally have got the breakthrough with the big wicket of Ishan Kishan! The left-hander, in an attempt to accelerate, miscued a pull shot and Babar Azam completed a simple catch. The big partnership has been broken but what an innings it has been! He would be gutted, having scored 82 but a very impressive effort. He limped a while earlier which might have provoked such a shot. Ishan Kishan c Babar Azam b Haris Rauf 82(81)

The 200 has come up for India now with both Hardik Pandya and Ishan Kishan looking to change gears and take the attack to the Pakistan bowlers. What a recovery it has been! From 66/4, these two have steadied the ship and taken India to a point when they can launch an attack in the last 10 overs. India would be eyeing a total close to 300-320 now. 

FIFTY for Hardik Pandya! A very matured knock from an experienced player under pressure circumstances. The right-hander has rotated the strike and made things look very easy against this top quality Pakistan pace attack. He and Ishan Kishan have taken India to a good position here and now, he would like to convert it to a big score. 

This partnership has crossed 100 runs with both Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya looking in good touch. Both these players have had an understanding of how the bowling has been and have dealt with the pressure very impressively. Ishan Kishan, especially has been super impressive with Hardik Pandya showing a lot of maturity at the other end. 

Ishan Kishan is playing a gem of a knock here! He has looked in control for a good part of his innings ever since he came out to bat and has taken the attack back to Pakistan. His partnership with Hardik Pandya has given India some sort of momentum here after they lost the top order in quick time. 

The partnership between Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya has crossed fifty now and the two have steadied the ship for India after the loss of four big wickets. The two would like to continue the way they have so far, taking India to a position of some sort of comfort. 

The 100 comes up for India. It has come at the cost of four wickets and now, both Hardik Pandya and Ishan Kishan will look to carry on the work that they have done so far. Still, a lot of work left to do with Pakistan looking to break this partnership. Indians have seemed to be more at ease while playing spin over pace so far.