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Asia Cup update: Ind vs Pak match called off today

Sun, 10 September 2023

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20:46

Match will resume tomorrow at 3pm IST

Ind 147-2 (24.1 ovs) vs Pak | Scorecard

With the rain returning, the match between India and Pakistan has been called off for today.

The match will resume tomorrow at 1500 IST. The match will continue from where it left off today before rains interrupted play.

Covers are coming back on as the rain has started to pelt down again at the Premadasa.

The umpires are on the ground even as the ground staff are putting the covers on the pitch and around.

The match was to resume at 9.30 with 26 overs to be played but the rains now have put paid to those plans of the match officials.

IMAGE: Ground staff using fans to dry out the wet areas on the ground. Photograph: Kind courtesy R Ashwin/Twitter

19:54

Play stopped due to wet outfield

Ind 147-2 (24.1 ovs) vs Pak | Scorecard

The ground staff are hard at work trying to soak up the area around the pitch and the umpires have said that the next inspection will be at 8 PM local time (also IST).

The rain has stopped and the covers have come off and Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid are seen chatting with Pakistan bowling coach Albie Morkel near the pitch. Babar Azam and Rizwan Khan are seen out on the field, checking out the wetness in the pitch.

The umpires are scheduled to come out to inspect the ground at 7.30 pm local time (also IST).

Pictures coming in from the ground show that the ground staff is hard at work trying to soak up the wet around the ground.

There are big puddles at the boundary.

The cut-off time of the match is now 12 midnight. If there is no more rain and the game resumes at 10.30 pm, the game will be reduced to a 20-over per innings contest. Duckworth-Lewis method will come into play in such a situation.

The umpires are set to come out after 45 minutes to inspect the playing area.

News coming in from Colombo that the rain has stopped at the Premadasa Stadium.

But when will the match resume is the question. The covers coming off now and any time now we should get an update from the match officials.

17:21

Rain continues to pelt down in Colombo

Ind 147-2 (24.1 ovs) vs Pak | Scorecard

The pictures coming in from Colombo are not very positive for cricket fans as the rain is pelting down even as covers have been spread on the field.

India were 147 for two in 24.1 overs when rain lashed the Premadasa Stadium.

KL Rahul looked good in the middle and brought up 2000 ODI runs after Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill smacked the Pakistan bowling around to get their 50s.

But after a poor start, Shadab did well to get the breakthrough and take out Rohit.

In the very next over Shaheen Afridi took out Gill to have India two down.

With Kohli and Rahul looked in control, find the gaps, pushing for singles and two, before rains forced play to stop after 24.1 overs.

Shadab back in the attack and Kohli starts the over with a single.

Just then the rain has started to come down heavily as the ground staff quickly scamper to the grounds to cover the pitch and the surrounding area with the covers.

The rain is pelting down even as the ground staff are busy at work, covering the pitch.

16:53

Kohli kept quiet

Ind 146-2 (24 ovs) vs Pak | Scorecard

Rauf continues and he starts with a dot.

Kohli then plays the next ball to mid-wicket for a quick single.

Short ball, Rahul plays a controlled pull and that is a four to mid-wicket to bring up 2000 ODI runs.

A dot later, Rauf bowls a wide down the leg side.

Rauf then hits Rahul on the pads, and he appeals for LBW, no says the umpire. He requests Babar to take the review but the captain says it's high. Funny scenes all around.

Rahul then chips the next one, luckily falls short of the long-off fielder. 6 come off it.

Shadab continues and after two dots, there is an appeal for caught behind against Rahul, umpire not interested. Babar decides against taking the review. Replays show no edge.

Rahul plays out three more dots and a maiden over.

16:45

Rahul, Kohli kept quiet

Ind 140-2 (22 ovs) vs Pak | Scorecard

Haris Rauf back in the attack and Rahul starts the over with a dot.

Rahul then flicks the next ball to deep square leg for a couple.

A dot later, Rahul plays the ball to sweeper cover for a single.

Kohli then plays a dot before he is beaten by a beauty outside the off stump. The ball lands on the seam and moves a touch to beat Kohli all ends up as just 3 runs come in the over.

Shadab continues and Kohli clips it to the leg side for a single.

Rahul then plays two dots before he plays the ball to extra cover for a single.

Kohli then plays out two dots as just two come off the over.

Afridi continues and Rahul plays out the first two balls watchfully.

Afridi then comes around the wicket to Rahul who plays the ball to the off side for another dot.

Rahul then clips the ball to the leg side for another dot.

Afridi comes over the wicket. bowls short and Rahul pulls the ball sweetly through mid-wicket for a four.

A dot to end the over as 4 come off it.

Shadab continues and after a dot, Rahul and Kohli happily and effortlessly keep rotating the strike as 7 runs come off the over.

16:30

India lose Rohit, Gill within two overs

Ind 124-2 (18 ovs) vs Pak | Scorecard

Rahul is the new man in and he gets off the mark first ball with a flick to the leg side for a single. A wicket and two runs come in the over!

Shaheen Afridi back in the attack and after three dots, Kohli takes a single to cover.

Afridi then bowls a leg cutter and Gill just checks his drive and hands a catch to cover. He is out for 58. India have now lost both openers within two overs.

Kohli is the new man in and after a dot, he gets off the mark with a single to long on.

That is the end of a successful over for Pakistan as a wicket and four runs come off it.

Babar continues to repose his faith in Shadab who continues after the drinks break.

Gill starts the over with a dot. Gill then cuts the next ball past point for a couple.

Gill then gets a single to long on.

Shadab then finally strikes as he has Rohit caught out in the deep for 56.

He goes inside out, good shot but Ashraf takes a good catch running sideways from mid-off to see the back of the Indian captain.

16:20

Rohit brings up his 50th 50 in ODIs

Ind 118-0 (16 ovs) vs Pak | Scorecard

Drinks break now and India have smothered the bowling all around in the 1 hour 15 minutes of play we've had in Colombo.

Gill and Rohit have smashed half-centuries while Pakistan bowlers have failed to find the breakthrough.

Rauf continues and he keeps it down to just three runs.

Shadab continues and he continues to misfire as Rohit starts the over with a six as he sends the full toss over deep mid-wicket to bring up his 50! His 50th half-century in ODIs!

Rohit follows that up with a four over extra cover!

A dot later, Rohit and Gill take a single each and a dot to end the over as 12 come off the over.

16:08

100 up for India in no time

Ind 103-0 (14 ovs) vs Pak | Scorecard

Rauf continues and after a dot, Gill takes a couple off a pull to backward square leg!

Rauf then bangs one in and it flies over the keeper for four. 4 wides called.

Gill then plays four dots as 7 runs come off it.

Leggie Shadab in the attack now and Gill starts the over for a single.

Rohit then takes a single before Gill brings up his 8th ODI fifty with a single.

Shadab then bowls a short ball and Rohit pulls it over cow corner for a six!

Back-to-back sixes for Rohit as another half tracker is dispatched over mid-wicket for another six!

Rohit then cuts the next ball past backward point for a four as 19 come off it!

15:58

Rohit takes on Rauf

Ind 77-0 (12 ovs) vs Pak | Scorecard

Haris Rauf in the attack now and Rohit starts the over with a single to third man.

Gill then gets the inside edge to the leg side for a single.

Rohit then drives the ball down the ground for a dot.

Rohit then plays the ball to extra cover for a dot.

Full ball next and Rohit smashes the ball past mid-offfor a couple, Rauf gets a hand on it to keep the ball from running to the boundary.

Rohit then swivel pulls the ball over third man for four as he gets a top edge. 8 come off the over.

Ashraf continues and Gill gets a boundary in the over as 8 come off it.

15:51

India on top in the Powerplay

Ind 61-0 (10 ovs) vs Pak | Scorecard

India openers have looked good in the Powerplay but they have had to contend with a more than accurate Naseem, who was unlucky to have not got early breakthroughs.

Naseem continues and after two dots, Rohit flicks the ball over mid-wicket for a four! A rare bad ball from Naseem and Rohit makes most of it.

Rohit then pulls the next ball over mid-wicket for back-to-back boundary.

Two dots to end the over as 8 come off it.

That is the end of the powerplay.

15:43

Naseem troubling India batters

Ind 53-0 (9 ovs) vs Pak | Scorecard

Ashraf continues and after a dot, Gill cuts the ball past the diving point fielder for a four! That brings up India's 50.

Two dots later, Gill plays inside out and he gets a couple to backward point.

A dot to end the over as 6 come off it.

Naseem continues and Gill cuts it past point to start the over with a four!

A dot later, wide ball, Gill slashes at it, Rizwan goes towards the ball, the first slip fielder got blindsided and the ball runs past the first and second slip for a four.

Two dots later, Gill gets another edge and the ball flies past slips to third man, a single to end the over as 9 come off it.

Medium pacer Faheem Ashraf is the first change bowler as Afridi goes into the dressing room to have a look at his forefinger he injured while fielding -- when the ball fell short of him when he tried to catch Gill at short man in the 2nd over.

And Ashraf starts nicely as Gill plays the first four balls watchfully before taking a single. Rohit just blocks the last ball of the over as just one comes off it.

15:30

Gill takes on Afridi

Ind 37-0 (6 ovs) vs Pak | Scorecard

Naseem continues and he has Rohit in all sorts of trouble.

Rohit lets the first one go before he is forced to fish at the ball that gets some late swing.

Rohit then tries to pull at the short ball but he misses it!

Rohit is made to play at another outswinger as Naseem is spot on with his bowling.

Another beauty as Rohit lets it go as the ball jumps up as Rizwan collects it.

The next one keeps low and that is another dot and that is a maiden.

Afridi continues and he starts with a wide.

A dot later, Gill comes down the pitch and drives it over mid-on for a four!

Gill then lets the next one through to the keeper.

He then plays the next ball to the off side for a dot.

Afridi comes around the wicket, a half volley and Gill leans into the drive and plays it through covers for a four!

Gill then cuts the ball hard over cover point for a four as 13 come off it.

Afridi faltering in his line and length that earlier over.

15:21

Rohit survives review for caught behind

Ind 24-0 (4 ovs) vs Pak | Scorecard

Naseem continues and he gets one to seam back in and that Rohit did well to leave it at the last moment.

Next one goes away as Rohit is made to play at it. and is beaten

Naseem is hitting the right lengths now and surprises Rohit as he opens him up.

Rohit then lets the next one go to the keeper.

Naseem then gets one to swing wildly and the umpire signals wide.

Rohit then takes a wild swing at the next ball, there is a noise. he is caught behind, big appeal. No says the umpire. Babar asks for the review and ultra edge shows no edge and Pakistan lose a review.

Naseem then gets some bounce and surprises Rohit as it carries nicely to the keeper. Just one run comes off the over.

Afridi continues, he bowls towards leg side, Shubman just gets the inside edge and he guides the ball to fine leg for a four!

Afridi bowls to the leg side again, Shubman happily plays with the swing, flicks it over mid-wicket for a four!

A dot ball next.

Shubman then blocks the next ball.

Another full ball, Shubman leans on it and plays it straight past mid-off for a four!

Afridi bowls a dot as Shubman lets the next one go through the keeper. Better ball that. 12 come off the over.

15:09

Shubman survives early on

Ind 11-0 (2 ovs) vs Pak | Scorecard

Naseem opens at the other end and Shubman edges it towards third man, the ball falls short of Afridi at third man and Shubman gets off the mark with a single.

Rohit then plays a dot, before he lets the next one go to the keeper.

More swing for Naseem and Rohit happy to let it go.

On the up, Rohit connects with the half-volley and drives it over covers for a four! Lovely shot.

Another dot to end the over as 5 come off it.

Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill open the batting for India while Shaheen Afridi opens the attack for Pakistan on a sunny afternoon in Colombo.

And Afridi comes over the wicket to Rohit and he gets some swing in early on. Rohit plays it down to the leg side for a dot.

A yorker next and Rohit does well to fend it off.

Afridi then gets some swing outside the off stump and Rohit is happy to just let it go.

Rohit then plays then next ball towards the leg side to the keeper for a dot.

Rohit then blocks the next ball with soft hands for a dot.

The next ball is swinging to the leg stump and Rohit effortlessly flicks it towards deep square leg for a six to get off the mark and open India's account with a maximum!

14:40

Pakistan to go unchanged; Shreyas out injured

Pakistan captain Babar Azam has won the toss and elected to bowl against India in their Super 4 match of the Asia Cup in Colombo on Sunday.

India make two changes, Bumrah comes in and Shreyas Iyer has a back spasm just before the toss and KL Rahul comes in for him.

IMAGE: Clear skies in Colombo. Photograph: Kind courtesy Pakistan Cricket/Twitter

Playing XIs:

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.

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

Pakistan are set to go unchanged against India in their Asia Cup Super 4 match in Colombo on Sunday.

The good news from Colombo is that the sun is out and the skies are blue and we expect a full match going by live pictures.

Pakistan will enter the match against India with a four-pronged pace attack that includes Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf and Faheem Ashraf.

The spin department will be marshalled by vice-captain and leg-spinner Shadab Khan with the support of part-time off-spinners Agha Salman and Iftikhar Ahmed.

The league game between the two sides was abandoned due to rain.

Pakistan's pacers have been doing exceedingly well in the Asia Cup as Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah have so far taken 23 wickets among them from just three matches.

The good news for India is that Virat Kohli averages over 103 in Colombo and fireworks can be expected from India's talisman this evening.

With Rahul back fit, will he come place of Ishan Kishan?

Shubman Gill, who found Pakistan's pace trio too hot to handle during his painstaking 10 off 32 balls in the group league game, admitted that not facing fast bowlers of the quality of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf often, does make a 'difference' during multi-nation events.

Gill said that he was also banking on the left-arm throw-down specialist Nuwan Seneviratne to dish out an improved showing in the nets to help him prepare against Afridi, and in general against Pakistan quicks.

With his fast in-swinging deliveries, Afridi will be a big threat for India. The left-arm pacer had evicted Rohit and Virat Kohli in the league match to rock India's top-order.

However, Gill denied that there was any extra pressure on the team just because they are playing Pakistan. Though he admitted the whole atmosphere was different from playing other teams.

"It was my first time against Pakistan in senior cricket (Asia Cup league match). The pressure is slightly different (from other matches).

"But the pressure will be there no matter what game you play -- whether it is against Afghanistan, Netherlands or Pakistan. We have the same level of nerves no matter what," he added.

Asia Cup update: Ind vs Pak match called off today

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