Asia Cup: Rain pushes Ind vs Pak match to reserve day

Intermittent rain forced the marquee Asia Cup clash between India and Pakistan to a reserve day in Colombo on Sunday.

India were 147 for two in 24.1 overs when rain lashed the Premadasa Stadium in the Sri Lankan capital. Play will resume at 3 pm local time (also IST) on Monday.

The activation of reserve day also means that in less than 24 hours of completion of the Pakistan game, India will meet Sri Lanka in their next Super Four encounter on Tuesday.

Before the two spells of rain interrupted play, Virat Kohli and K L Rahul were batting on 8 and 17 respectively after openers Rohit Sharma (56) and Shubman Gill (58) struck fine half-centuries. Gill hit his 2nd half century in a row. He had struck a half-century against Nepal in the previous group game.

Gill combined with Rohit in a rollicking 122-run opening stand. On two occasions, Gill smashed Afridi for three boundaries in an over, eventually throwing the bowler out of the attack after a wicketless and expensive first spell.

Rohit survived Naseem Shah's hostile opening spell before asserting himself, hitting four sixes in his breezy 56 as boundaries flowed from both ends.

Spinner Shadab Khan broke the partnership when Rohit holed out in the deep and Afridi returned to end Gill's fluent knock to drag Pakistan back into the contest.

KL Rahul, picked after Shreyas Iyer was ruled out with back spasms, and Virat Kohli, batting on eight, were about to steady India when rain stopped play.

Rahul, who was on 17, looked comfortable in his first match since returning from a thigh injury in May.

India's Asia Cup opener against Pakistan was called off due to rain.

The weather has been a subject of intense debate through the Sri Lanka leg of Asia Cup. Rain is expected in the Sri Lankan capital throughout the tournament.

Asian Cricket Council's decision to keep a reserve day only for Sunday's game and the final also triggered a controversy.