Two standout batters. Three pacers spewing venom. And three rain interruptions. All of it culminated in a single huge disappointment for the scores of followers who flocked the Pallekele Worldwide Cricket Stadium for the high-voltage Asia Cup conflict between India and Pakistan.
Because of a persistent drizzle that began in the direction of the tip of India’s batting essay, the match officers formally known as the sport off at 9.52 p.m., 35 minutes earlier than the cut-off for a 20-over chase. By then, all the outfield had been coated with tarpaulin sheets.
The groundstaff, regardless of working tirelessly all through the day, wore a dejected look. So did 20,000-odd followers who stayed again hoping for an exhilarating end. However they needed to make do with a topsy-turvy first half that finally turned futile.
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India captain Rohit Sharma had no hesitation in opting to bat after the coin landed in his favour, nevertheless it turned out to be a far-from-ideal begin. As quickly because the 35-minute rain break after 4.2 overs ended, Shaheen Shah Afridi set Rohit up with an inswinger that sneaked by means of his defence on the again of a few outswingers.
Afridi then loved the double delight, with Virat Kohli taking part in him after a crisp sq. drive. When Shreyas Iyer pulled Haris Rauf solely to see Mohammad Nawaz latch on to a pointy catch at midwicket, at 48 for 3, India was at risk of wilting below the big-match strain.
In got here Ishan Kishan – taking part in his first ODI and batting at No. 5 for the primary time. Then there was a quick 20-minute rain interruption, and shortly afterwards, a shaky Shubman Gill performed Haris Rauf on to the stumps.
At 66 for 4, Ishan and Hardik Pandya, the vice-captain, acquired collectively, and the left- and right-handed mix seemed easy as soon as the spin was launched.
Using on Ishan and Hardik’s 138-run partnership – dominated by Ishan’s 82 (81b, 9×4, 2×6) – India placed on a decent complete of 266 on the board earlier than folding up within the penultimate over.
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Had it not been for the partnership, India may effectively have been bundled out a lot earlier. Barring a top-edged pull early on that was misjudged at deep sq. leg, Ishan performed a fluent knock. The left-handed batter was brutal in opposition to spinners however confirmed his intent as quickly as changing Shreyas Iyer – who departed whereas taking part in a pull shot off Haris Rauf.
With Ishan on music, Hardik took a again seat and began waging a protracted deal with solely after Ishan’s dismissal within the thirty eighth over. However similar to the pocket dynamo, Hardik too perished within the 80s, resulting in a collapse. India misplaced the final 5 wickets for 27 runs.
Simply when Jasprit Bumrah guided India’s complete previous 260 with a cameo, the heavens opened up once more, and the regular drizzle endured till the sport was deserted.
The end result meant Pakistan grew to become the primary crew to qualify for the Tremendous 4, whereas India must beat Nepal on Monday to hitch the Inexperienced military.