The much-anticipated India-Pakistan clash at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in the Asia Cup 2023 ended in disappointment as relentless rain forced the match to be abandoned. Despite promising signs at the toss, the game was marred by intermittent rain delays during India’s innings, with Rohit Sharma choosing to bat first. India managed to set a target of 266, facing 48.5 overs before the heavens opened up during the mid-innings break.
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In the aftermath of the washout, let’s dissect how both India and Pakistan would have felt about the unfinished game.
For Team India, mixed emotions arise as they evaluate their performance. The top-order woes continued with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli falling prey to the skilful Shaheen Afridi. Rohit succumbed to a sharp delivery that jagged back, while Kohli’s half-hearted push outside off stump led to his dismissal. Their recurring struggles against left-arm seamers raise concerns.
Shreyas Iyer’s dismissal to a short ball can be excused, considering it was his first international match after returning from injury. However, Shubman Gill’s inconsistent form, starting from his dismissal in the World Test Championship final, remains a concern.
On a brighter note, Ishan Kishan’s (82 off 81) and Hardik Pandya’s (87 off 90) standout performances salvaged India’s innings. Their partnership of 138 runs for the fifth wicket rescued India from a precarious 66/4 position. Kishan’s fourth consecutive ODI fifty puts pressure on KL Rahul’s role as a keeper-batter, especially with the World Cup looming. Pandya’s inning was a much-needed redemption after a disappointing tour of the West Indies.
For Pakistan, the story mirrored India’s with moments of brilliance followed by periods of inconsistency. Shaheen Afridi’s exceptional bowling figures of 4/35 showcased his mastery over Rohit and Kohli, raising questions about their ability to handle him. Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah also made an impact with three wickets each, with pacers claiming all 10 wickets in an Asia Cup match for the first time. However, allowing India to recover from 66/4 to 266 would be a source of disappointment.
Babar Azam’s captaincy decisions and Shadab Khan’s off-day as a leg-spinner contributed to Pakistan’s struggles. Their sloppy fielding further compounded their woe. The India-Pakistan match saw both sides display flashes of brilliance but lacked clinical consistency. It was a reflection of the game itself—an incomplete performance in an unfinished match.
