India 147-2 in 24.1 overs against rival Pakistan with rain-hit Asia Cup clash set to resume Monday
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Arch rivals India and Pakistan will resume their rain-hit Asia Cup clash on Monday with India at 147-2 from 24.1 overs.
After a heavy downpour in Colombo on Sunday, ground staff had targeted a restart at 9 p.m. local time for the Super Four game. But further rain forced the umpires to call off play 15 minutes before then.
The reserve day was activated with organizers aiming to have a full 50 overs for each innings — weather permitting.
India was put into bat after Pakistan captain Babar Azam won the toss. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill gave their side a terrific start by 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 that was ultimately washed out at Pallekele last week.
Rohit was slow off the blocks but the introduction of spin got him going as he cut loose, hitting Shadab Khan for two sixes and a four in successive balls.
Rohit reached his half-century in the next over against Shadab (1-45 in 6.1 overs), 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 10 fours
The partnership was broken soon after the drinks break. Rohit attempted to hit Shadab over cover, but ended up hitting straighter and Faheem Ashraf sprinted to his left from long-off to take a good catch.
Both India’s openers were back in the pavilion by the next over. Gill failed to spot a cutter from Shaheen Shah Afridi (1-37 in 5 overs) and was too early on his shot and ended up spooning an easy catch to Agha Salman.
Virat Kohli was unbeaten on eight while K.L. Rahul was 17 not out.
India made two changes from the lineup that beat Nepal in its previous game. K.L. Rahul, who missed the group stage, returned in place of Shreyas Iyer and Jasprit Bumrah, who'had flown back to India and missed the Nepal game due to personal reasons, replaced Mohammad Shami.
Pakistan opted to play an unchanged lineup, sticking to the same XI that had beaten Bangladesh in their first Super Four game in Lahore.
The first-round day-nigher between India and Pakistan was washed out after India was bowled out for 266 in the 49th over.
India faces the prospect of playing on three consecutive days, with another Super Four match against Sri Lanka due to be played Tuesday.
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AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket
