COLOMBO: Despite providing a reserve day for the highly anticipated clash between Pakistan and India, there are slim chances of completing the match today (Monday) due to unclear weather conditions in Colombo.
The Sri Lankan capital has been experiencing continuous drizzles since early morning, with ominous clouds lingering overhead. The weather department has warned of heavy rains expected after 4 p.m.
On Sunday, rain again disrupted the Asia Cup’s eagerly awaited Super Four clash between the arch-rivals, forcing the suspension of play. India, having been put into bat, had reached a score of 147-2 in 24.1 overs when heavy rain halted the game. The umpires waited nearly four hours before continuing the match on the reserve day.
In Sunday’s encounter, Indian openers displayed their prowess after Pakistan’s captain, Babar Azam, won the toss and elected to field at the R Premadasa Stadium.
Shaheen Afridi, who had previously troubled India’s top order, seemed to meet his match as Rohit Sharma and his team found an effective strategy against the left-arm speedster. Shubman Gill, in particular, took charge and defused Pakistan’s fiery pace attack, forging a dynamic 122-run opening partnership with Rohit.
Rohit, surviving Naseem Shah’s aggressive opening spell, unleashed his power and struck four sixes on his way to a breezy 56 before eventually falling in the deep, caught by a fielder. Spinner Shadab Khan intervened to break the partnership and ended Gill’s impressive knock, providing Pakistan a chance to regain control.
KL Rahul was brought in as a replacement for the injured Shreyas Iyer, and Virat Kohli, batting at eight, was stabilizing India’s position when rain interrupted play. Rahul, on 17, appeared comfortable in his first match since recovering from a thigh injury sustained in May.
