New Delhi: To one’s surprise, the India vs Pakistan clash on Sunday, September 10, at Colombo was forced to be postponed to the reserve day on Monday, September 11, due to rain.
The match that started with a clear sky despite earlier reports of heavy rain finally welcomed the unappreciated guest at the 24.1 over marks through the first innings.
Asia Cup 2023 – is this the most frustrating cricket tournament you’ve witnessed? pic.twitter.com/wsyGQH9wPI
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) September 10, 2023
The rain, however, decided to take a break at 19:00 Hrs, IST, allowing the groundsmen to get the ground ready for a 34 overs a-side game by 8:30. But, it decided to come back right before the resumption of the forcing the umpire’s hands to postpone the game to the reserve day.
UPDATE – Play has been called off due to persistent rains 🌧️
See you tomorrow (reserve day) at 3 PM IST!
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/kg7Sh2t5pM #TeamIndia | #AsiaCup2023 | #INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/7thgTaGgYf
— BCCI (@BCCI) September 10, 2023
Notably, in the first match between India and Pakistan at the Asia Cup 2023, the group stage was also washed out without a single ball being bowled in the second innings.
The rain has a final say as the match is Called Off!
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/hPVV0wT83S
#AsiaCup2023 | #TeamIndia | #INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/XgEEkjvrC5
— BCCI (@BCCI) September 2, 2023
The organizers then decided to add reserve day for the India vs Pakistan Super 4 clash, the only Super game to have the added advantage.
The game will begin on Monday with the full 50-overs game on board, but in case of more rain can be reduced to 20 over a side game.
If India is unable to bat again and Pakistan is to be asked to bat directly, in that scenario, Pakistan will have around 180 runs to chase in 20 overs according to the D/L method.
However, despite the added extra day, if the match ends without any winner, both the teams will have to share one point each again as they did in the group stage game.
Pakistan, however, this time again being in a more advantageous position among the two and despite cementing their position at the helm of the points table with 3 points, will also end up being a worried side.
In case of reserve day getting washed out too, Pakistan will end up with three points in 2 matches but will have to win their last match against Sri Lanka, as if India, despite just getting one point from this game, manages to beat both Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will end up with 5 points at the top and if Sri Lanka manages to beat Pakistan too, they will end up at second with 4 points while Pakistan will be knocked out with 3.
A clean victory or no contest against Sri Lanka, however, will see Pakistan go through to the finals.
India, on the other hand, will be in a more disadvantageous position as they will have to win their next two matches against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, which are also under the threat of getting washed away due to rain. So for the men in the blue, the most ideal situation would be to get 2 out of 2 possible points from this match instead of settling down with 1 or worse, 0.
Earlier, Pakistani skipper Babar Azam won the toss and opted to bat first against India. The two Indian openers, however, made him regret his decision as soon as they opened all-out against the Pakistani bowling unit by adding 121 runs for the first wicket in just 16.3 overs.
Skipper Rohit Sharma scored 56 off 49 deliveries, while Shubhman Gill scored 58 off 52 deliveries. At the time of interruption Virat Kohli was not out at 8 off 16 delivers while KL Rahul was playing at unbeaten 17. Indian score was at 147 for 2.
