Asia Cup PIX: India-Pakistan match called off due to rain

IMAGES from the Asia Cup 2023 match between India and Pakistan in Pallekele on Saturday.

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Rain continues to pour and delay resumption of the match between India and Pakistan in Pallekele on Saturday

IMAGE: The groundstaff put the covers in place because of rain at the Pallekele International Stadium on Saturday. Photograph: BCCI/X

The Asia Cup match between India and Pakistan was called off due to persistent rain in Pallekele on Saturday.

No play was possible after India were bowled out 266 in 48.5 overs.

Ishan Kishan (82) and Hardik Pandya (87) revived India's innings with a 138-run stand off 141 balls after losing the first four wickets for 66 runs.

Shaheen Afridi was the stand out bowler for Pakistan, picking up 4/35 in 10 overs, while fellow pacers Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf took three wickets apiece.

Shaheen Afridi celebrates on dismissing Virat Kohli

IMAGE: Shaheen Afridi celebrates on dismissing Virat Kohli. Photograph: ICC/X

India's Asia Cup opener against Pakistan got off to a stuttering start with Shaheen Afridi taking out Rohit Sharma and then Virat Kohli before two short spells of rain interrupted proceedings.

The first stoppage due to rain came when India were 15 for no loss. A second spell of rain halted play when India were struggling at 51/3 in 11.2 overs.

The groundstaff bring the covers on to the field

IMAGE: The groundstaff bring the covers on to the field. Photograph: PCB/X

Rain returned to the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in the 12th over after a skillful spell of fast bowling from Afridi sent the Indian batting mainstays Rohit (11) and Virat Kohli (4), back into the dressing room.

The third batter to be dismissed was Shreyas Iyer (14) who pulled a shot ball from pacer Rauf straight to the fielder at midwicket.

Rohit Sharma is bowled by Shaheen Afridi

IMAGE: Rohit Sharma is bowled by Shaheen Afridi. Photograph: ICC/X

Ishan Kishan, batting at No 5, led India's superb recovery in the company of the experienced Hardik Pandya after they were struggling on 66/4 in the 15th over.

Haris Rauf picked the two wickets of Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill

IMAGE: Haris Rauf picked the two wickets of Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill. Photograph: ACC/X

Kishan (82 off 81 balls) and Pandya (87 off 90 balls) kept Pakistan bowlers at bay with a 138-run fifth wicket stand from 141 balls.

Rauf had dismissed the struggling Shubman Gill, who failed to get a grip of the conditions and managed just 10 from 32 balls.

Ishan Kishan scored a quick-fire half century

IMAGE: Ishan Kishan scored a quick-fire half century. Photograph: BCCI/X

The conditions at Pallekele, which always had a lick of drizzle, and a high-octane bowling attack meant that the Indian pair would have to curb their shot-making instincts.

They had to be precise in the selection of each shot, and needed to be extra patient.

Pandya was happy to play the sidekick role to Kishan during their fifth wicket alliance that was worth 138 runs. This was the first time the left-hander was batting below the No.4 slot in his career, and he didn't show any signs of nerves.

Hardik Pandya and Ishan Kishan put on a partnership of over 150

IMAGE: Hardik Pandya and Ishan Kishan put on a 138-run stand. Photograph: ICC/X

Kishan kept the boundaries coming against the spinners, as the raced to his fifty from just 54 balls, with Pandya content to play the supporting act.

Haris Rauf gives Ishan Kishan a send-off after taking him out for 82

IMAGE: Haris Rauf gives Ishan Kishan a send-off after taking him out for 82. Photographs: ACC/X

Kishan's splendid knock came to an end when he top edged the pull shot off Rauf and was caught at Babar at mid-on.

Hardik Pandya also hit a few big ones, especially in the 40th over off Haris Rauf before being dismissed by Shaheen Afridi

IMAGE: Hardik Pandya also hit a few big ones, especially in the 40th over off Haris Rauf before being dismissed by Shaheen Afridi. Photograph: BCCI/X

Once Kishan departed, Pandya took charge of the Indian innings and slammed spinner Nawaz for a massive six over midwicket.

Naseem Shah looks relieved after dismissing last man Jasprit Bumrah

IMAGE: Naseem Shah looks relieved after dismissing Jasprit Bumrah as India were bowled out for 266. Photograph: ICC/X

However, Afridi returned to end Pandya's stay in the middle, who miscued the slower ball and was caught in the covers.

From thereon, a few boundaries by Jasprit Bumrah carried the side past the 250-run mark. Just after the end of the Indian innings, another spell of steady downpour started.