Pak vs Ind: Rain-hit match to resume on reserve day

Asia Cup 2023 Super 4 clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan has been called off due to persistent rain as umpires decided that the game would continue tomorrow (Monday) since a reserve day had been set aside for the high-voltage clash in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Pakistan won the toss and decided to bowl first against India in the high-voltage clash. When the match was stopped due to rain, India were 147/2 in 24.1 overs.

At one stage it seemed that a 34-over match would be possible but rain once again returned to dash the hopes of cricket fans.

According to the playing conditions, the game will continue from this point tomorrow with no overs lost.

Pakistan have fielded an unchanged playing XI for this high-voltage clash. Meanwhile, India have made two changes with one of them being forced after Shreyas Iyer picked up a spasm in the back moments before the toss and will be replaced by KL Rahul. Jasprit Bumrah has also replaced Mohammad Shami in India’s lineup.

After beating Bangladesh by seven wickets in their first Super Four match, the Men in Green will look forward to continuing their excellent form in the Asia Cup.

“We will bowl first. I think there is a bit of moisture, we need to use that. Always, India-Pakistan is high intensity, but we will take it match to match. As a team, we are playing well, we are focused on this one,” Pakistan captain Babar Azam said at the toss.

Pakistan have fielded an unchanged playing XI for this high-voltage clash. Meanwhile, India have made two changes with one of them being forced after Shreyas Iyer picked up a spasm in the back moments before the toss and will be replaced by KL Rahul. Jasprit Bumrah has also replaced Mohammad Shami in India’s lineup.

Meanwhile, India are playing their first match in the Super 4 stage.

“Looking to bat first. There will be a challenge upfront, but the way we guys batted last time around gives us confidence. Every game is important for us, but one thing at a time to focus on,” said Indian skipper Rohit Sharma. 

In the clash today, each side is looking to come out on top, especially after rain washed out their previous game in Pallekele. 

On that occasion, India were dismissed for 266 in 48.5 overs. Pakistan — who are currently at the top of the points table — could not begin their chase because of the weather.

With chances of precipitation up to 90%, spectators and fans fear another disrupted game. However, according to ESPNcricinfo, it was bright and sunny on Sunday morning in Colombo.

However, should the rain interrupt the match later in the day, the match will move to Monday — the reserve day for the clash.

This is a big match because even one loss in the Super 4s can send you on the brink of "must-win territory", and with in-form Sri Lanka set to face both these sides next week, the two points at stake today are in high demand. 

There is also a small chance that today's fixture is the last India v Pakistan fixture at the 2023 Asia Cup because Sri Lanka are strong contenders to be a finalist and history tells us that India and Pakistan have never met at Asia Cup finals.

Playing XIs

Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Rizwan, Agha Salman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf.

India: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj