IND vs PAK, Asia Cup 2023, Super 4: Live updates for India vs Pakistan clash in R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo,
Following the rain-induced cancellation of Sunday's play, we have our reserved day today. This will be a full 50-over game, with India having completed 24.1 overs. Play is scheduled to resume at 15:00 local time.
However, let's address the immediate concern: the weather forecast for today doesn't look promising as well. Both teams have arrived at the venue, but it may take some time before they can begin their practice or take to the ground.
It appears that Faheem Ashraf's wicket will seal the game for India.
Naseem and Haris, both carrying niggles from fielding, have decided not to come out to bat.
Even the much-celebrated Pakistani pace attack appeared rather pedestrian as after Rohit and Shubman, Rahul made a resounding return to ODI cricket, and Kohli, notched up his 47th century - posting 356 runs on the board.
In the second innings, Bumrah and Siraj troubled the batsmen, however, the standout moment came from Hardik Pandya, who bowled a delivery that dismissed the in-form Babar.
Shardul dismissed Rizwan and Kuldeep Yadav took a fifer finishing with remarkable figures of 5/25, sealing India's commanding victory of 228 runs.
Kuldeep notches up a five-wicket haul! He delivers a length ball that skids on, piercing through Faheem Ashraf's defense.
Faheem Ashraf had moved onto his backfoot, attempting to work it on the leg side.
Faheem Ashraf b Kuldeep Yadav 4(12)
A flat delivery that started spinning away after hitting the pitch.
Iftikhar attempts to slice it to the right of Kuldeep, who reacts quickly to take a sharp return catch.
With that dismissal, Pakistan's last remaining hope disappears.
Iftikhar Ahmed c and b Kuldeep Yadav 23(35) [4s-1]
Kuldeep claims his third wicket!
He delivers a floated ball, and Shadab attempts a hesitant chip shot towards long-on.
He fails to generate the necessary power to clear the boundary and Shardul moves to his right and secures a splendid catch.
Shadab Khan c Thakur b Kuldeep Yadav 6(10)
Pakistan retains their review, but they do lose Salman.
Initially appearing out, the ball-tracking technology reveals it was only clipping the leg-stump.
The delivery was quicker, fuller, and targeted at the stumps.
Salman missed the sweep, and the ball struck him on the pad right in front of the middle stump.
Umpire Ruchira Palliyaguruge wasted no time in raising his finger.
Agha Salman lbw b Kuldeep Yadav 23(32) [4s-2]
Salman attempts a paddle shot but ends up with a top-edge that strikes him squarely in the face.
He isn't wearing a helmet, and the impact results in a cut just below his eyes, causing immediate bleeding.
When Fakhar Zaman spotted a flighted delivery, he opted for a slog sweep, but unfortunately, the ball dipped beneath his swinging bat and crashed into the middle stump.
Fakhar Zaman b Kuldeep Yadav 27(50) [4s-2]
The Indian bowlers have been delivering absolute gems this innings.
Shardul has produced a beauty to remove Rizwan.
It was a good-length ball aimed at the off-stump and Rizwan moved forward to play a defensive shot.
However, the ball swung away late, catching the outside edge.
Rahul, keeping wickets, made no mistake.
Rizwan c Rahul b Thakur 2(5)
The inspection has been completed. Umpire Chris Gaffaney communicates the decision to the Indian team, who are already making their way onto the field.
The game will commence play at 21:20 local time which is just 10 minutes from now.
Fortunately, no overs have been lost.
The rain has intensified!
It's worth noting that for this match to yield a result through the DLS method, Pakistan must have completed at least 20 overs of their innings.
In the event that the game won't resume, the points will be split between the teams.
However, there are still nearly three hours remaining before any decision can be taken.
What a delivery!
Pandya unleashes an absolute gem, a powerful inswinger that even the Pakistani skipper could not handle.
The ball pitches just outside off and moves sharply inward, sneaking through the narrow gap between Babar's bat and pad before he can react.
The ball crashes into the middle stump and Hardik reaps the rewards!,
Babar Azam's innings concludes, scoring 10 runs off 24 balls, including two boundaries.
Jasprit Bumrah makes a swift impact on his return to ODI cricket!
He pitches the ball a bit fuller on the offside, inducing a swing that catches the edge and carries to Gill at the second slip.
The in-form Imam finds himself dismissed cheaply once again against India.
Bumrah was instructed to remove his elbow straps and hand them over to the umpires. Imam expressed some reservations about this matter.
That's a sensational SIX! Kohli charges out to meet a low full toss, elegantly hoisting it over long-on. The ball sails over the boundary ropes.
Pakistan, who has the most formidable bowling attack in the tournament, were not given time to even settle.
The Indian team completely dominated them with the bat as it all began with the openers, Rohit and Shubman Gill, displaying a proactive approach against the new ball.
Both openers managed to secure half-centuries before getting dismissed in consecutive overs.
Then, the rain intervened, causing a lengthy delay and forcing a reserve day. KL Rahul and Kohli adopted a methodical approach initially but eventually launched an assault on the part-time bowlers.
There's something about playing against Pakistan that always brings out the best in Virat Kohli. Number 47 in ODIs
He jumps and does an exuberant fist pump as he expresses his joy.
He removes his helmet to catch a quick breather.
The crowd rises to their feet in appreciation.
Not just that, he also gets 13000 runs in ODIs.
What a remarkable return to ODI cricket!
With a subtle change of pace and a well-placed pull shot, Rahul elegantly manoeuvres the ball towards mid-wicket, collecting a couple of runs.
He then gazes towards the sky, basking in the applause, while the entire Indian dressing room rises to their feet in celebration.
Kohli reaches a well-earned fifty with a measured innings.
As he raises his bat to acknowledge the applause, his performance is evident.
The delivery, full and on the off-side, allows Kohli to effortlessly guide it towards long-on.
Scoring fifty upon his return to the side, Rahul not only boosts his own confidence but also provides relief for the team management.
He raises his bat to acknowledge the applause.
The delivery, pitched at a good length and just outside off, prompts Rahul to play a rising drive, and he skillfully finds the sweeper cover with precision.
The official broadcasters have just said that Haris Rauf will not be bowling today as a precautionary measure.
This could potentially have a significant impact on Pakistan's prospects.
It appears that he is carrying a water bag heater beneath his shirt near his abdomen and side, which could indicate a possible side strain.
Morne Morkel: He (Haris Rauf) started feeling his oblique muscle last night. With the World Cup around the corner, it is precautionary and we'll have to use the other boys to fill the overs. About yesterday, I felt that if we aren't on the money from the get-go, we will get taken for runs by the top-order.
The rescheduled start time is 4:40 PM with the game set to resume as a full 50-over match with no overs have been lost.
India will pick up their innings from where they left off, at 24.1 overs.
An inspection took place at 4:20 PM and players were seen practising,
Virat Kohli comments, "I believe the outfield is in good condition, and the pitch, although slightly damp, is being rolled. The Pakistani bowlers are warming up in the side nets. The sky also appears clear in the distance. These are positive signs, and it seems we may not be too far from a restart," remarks Dominic Cork from the centre.
The field remains under covers, and the Indian players are gathered outside the dressing room, engaging in a conversation amongst themselves.
There's uncertainty about whether there will be any play at all.
The first cover to be removed is the one that's been protecting the pitch.
Over the last few minutes, the sky has cleared up a bit, and we're hopeful that the rain will stay away for some time.
Both teams are watching from the balcony as the groundstaff gets to work.
The rain persists, and it seems to have settled in for the long haul.
The groundsmen have abandoned their attempts to remove the water from the covers and are now taking refuge in the dugout.
There are no fans at the stadium.
Play has been suspended for today due to rain, but fortunately, we have a reserve day available.
The teams will return tomorrow, and it will be a complete 50-over game.
India will resume from the 24.1 overs mark.
The match is scheduled to recommence at 15:00 local time.
The umpires remain on the field without umbrellas, while both the Pakistan and Indian players scan the sky.
They are observing various directions to anticipate the rain's arrival.
The covers are being brought out, starting with the pitch and then covering the entire square.
It doesn't seem like it is raining because the groundsmen are taking their time to cover the entire ground.
Another inspection set for 8:30 PM
The umpires make their way onto the field for the second inspection.
They are checking the durability of the moist pitches, and so far, none of them have shown signs of damage, which is encouraging!,
To address the damp spot, the ground staff has improvised a fan to aid in drying.
They are also generously applying sawdust.
The umpires talk to the respective captains.
A pitch inspection is scheduled for 7:30 PM.
Considering the proximity to the World Cup, the umpires and team management are unlikely to want to jeopardize the well-being of any of the players by taking unnecessary risks.
The official broadcasters have set the cutoff time for a 20-over game at 10:36 PM.
If the game does not resume by that time, India will not have another batting opportunity, and Pakistan will be provided with a revised DLS target, which is estimated to be approximately 180 runs.
There's movement on the field as the ground staff begins to lift the top layer of covers, indicating that the rain has likely lessened or ceased.
However, there's still a substantial amount of cleaning and preparation work to be completed, which will require some time.
The positive news is that many more covers are being removed, suggesting an encouraging development.
The rain has made its long-awaited appearance even catching the groundsmen off guard.
They are scrambling to bring out the covers.
Now, it's pouring down, and the ground staff is working frantically to cover the entire field.
Pakistan has made a comeback. Both opening batsmen are now off the field within consecutive overs.
Shaheen delivers a slower ball, perfectly landing it on a good length spot.
Gill fails to pick up the change of pace and commits early to his drive.
He checks his shot and ends up lofting a simple catch to cover, where Agha makes an easy catch.
Shubman Gill c Agha Salman b Shaheen Afridi 58(52) [4s-10]
Shadab makes a crucial breakthrough!
He's brimming with excitement, as are the rest of the Pakistan team.
The partnership is dismantled shortly after the break. Rohit must be disappointed with himself as he departs.
Shadab delivers a flighted ball outside off, and Rohit's intention was to loft it over cover, but he ends up hitting it straighter.
Faheem, positioned at long-off, sprints to his left, dives, and manages to hold on to the catch.
An exceptional grab! It's precisely the kind of effort Pakistan needed to boost their morale.
Rohit c Faheem Ashraf b Shadab Khan 56(49) [4s-6 6s-4]
SIX and Rohit reaches his fifty in impressive fashion!
Shadab delivers a full toss, and Rohit hammers it over deep mid-wicket for a massive six. The bowler is now facing immense pressure.
1 run scored! The bowler sends a flighted delivery, and Gill leans in to drive it towards long-off.
This brings up Shubman Gill's well-deserved half-century.
Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill are charging at the Pakistani bowlers.
Both have taken an agressive approach and are scoring in boundaries.
Gill survives!
The ball is bowled short and wide, and Gill attempts a slash, getting an edge that narrowly passes between the two slip fielders.
Iftikhar at first slip doesn't react at all, while Naseem doesn't seem too pleased.
From first over SIX against Shaheen Afridi by Rohit Sharma to Shubman Gill following his lead, the two Indian openers have taken an aggressive approach against the pacer.
Pakistan have won the toss and have opted to field
For India, Jasprit Bumrah returns while KL Rahul replaces injured Shreyas Iyer.
India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan(w), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj,
Pakistan (Playing XI): Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam(c), Mohammad Rizwan(w), Agha Salman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf
Pakistan Squad: Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam(c), Mohammad Rizwan(w), Agha Salman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Wasim Jr
India Squad: Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan(w), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, KL Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Tilak Varma