Rain stops India – Pakistan Asia Cup clash

Rain has created havoc in this Asia Cup and after smooth sailing in the Sri Lanka versus Bangladesh clash on Saturday, the epic India-Pakistan encounter yesterday was interrupted by rain forcing the umpires to stop play at 4:52 pm here at RPS.

The ground staff cleared up the playing field and an inspection was due to take place at 7:30 pm when this edition went to print.

India had reached 147 for two in 24.1 overs when a heavy downpour forced the umpires to stop play.

India were put into bat after Babar Azam won the toss. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill gave their side a terrific start adding 121 runs for the first wicket in just 100 deliveries.

India’s top order had struggled against Pakistan’s pace attack in the group game between the teams in Kandy last week and a good start was vital yesterday.

Rohit was slow off the blocks, but the introduction of spin got him going as he cut loose hitting Shadab Khan for two consecutive sixes and a four.

Rohit reached his half-century in the next over of Shadab, pulling the leg-spinner for six over mid-wicket. His half-century came off just 42 balls.

Gill, meanwhile, was confident against the quicks and had brought up his half-century in only 37 balls with ten fours.

The partnership was broken soon after the drinks break. Rohit attempted to hit Shadab over covers, but ended up hitting straighter and Fahim Ashraf sprinting to his left from long-off took a good catch.

Soon in the next over both India’s openers were back in the pavilion. Gill failed to spot a cutter from Shaheen and was too early on his shot and ended up spooning an easy catch to Agha Salman at covers.

Virat Kohli was unbeaten on eight while K.L. Rahul was 17 not out when the rain came down.

India did two changes to the side that beat Nepal in their last game bringing in Rahul in place of Shreyas Iyer, who was down with back spasms while Jasprit Bumrah replaced Mohammad Shami. Bumrah had flown back home due to personal reasons after India’s group game against Pakistan.

Pakistan, meanwhile, opted for an unchanged side.

The group game between these sides at Pallekele was washed out by rain.

The spectator turnout throughout the tournament has been low due to high ticket prices. Around 25,000 tickets of the 35,000-capacity stadium were unsold and the authorities were forced to bring the ticket prices down significantly half an hour before start of play.