Watch: Pakistan’s quicks claimed all 10 wickets to fall, but half-centuries from Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya got India up to a fighting total before rain ruined the remainder of the hotly anticipated India-Pakistan Asia Cup 2023 contest.
Rain had been forecast to interrupt the game, and an early shower arrived after India had opted to bat first. The delay allowed Shaheen Shah Afridi to correct his radar, and he returned with a searing spell, bowling Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in quick succession.
Haris Rauf capitalised on the opening. Shreyas Iyer, who looked in good touch, pulled him to mid-wicket, and Shubman Gill made it a trio of top-order batters bowled.
At 66-4, India were in the mire, but Kishan and Pandya stitched a recovery. Kishan extended his fourth consecutive half-century to a score of 82 at better than a run a ball, bolstering his claim for a starting berth at the World Cup.
Pandya showed why he is assured of his place in the XI with a mature 87, but could not carry on to a maiden ODI hundred.
That partnership came largely against spin, when Pakistan’s slow bowlers conceded over a run a ball and went wicketless. The return of pace saw Babar Azam’s side surge again. Rauf broke through, Kishan skying to mid-on, and Pandya followed soon after, outfoxed by a Shaheen slower ball.
The lower order offered minimal resistance as Naseem Shah got in on the act with three wickets of his own. Jasprit Bumrah contributed a sparky 16, but India slid from 204-4 to 266 all out.
It looked a competitive total, but the rain means we will never know if it might have been enough.
The result allowed Pakistan to qualify for the Super Four. India need at least a no-result or a tie against Nepal to qualify.
