Rain performed spoilsport throughout India and Pakistan’s Asia Cup 2023 Super 4 conflict, on the R Premdasa Stadium on Sunday. The match was halted at Stumps halfway by the primary innings and can resume on its reserve day, scheduled for Monday. Initially, Pakistan captain Babar Azam gained the toss and opted to bowl, banking on his tempo battery led by Shaheen Shah Afridi. But India obtained off to a superb begin, with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill registering half-centuries respectively, however the pair misplaced their wickets after that.
Virat Kohli will face Shaheen Shah Afridi on reserve day.
The India captain smacked 56 runs off 49 balls, full of six fours and 4 sixes. Meanwhile, Gill slammed 58 off 52 deliveries, together with 10 fours. The match was halted with India reaching 147/2 in 24.1 overs at Stumps, as Virat Kohli (8*) and KL Rahul (17*) remained unbeaten. The duo will resume batting on Monday. For Pakistan’s bowling division, Shaheen dismissed Gill and Shadab took the wicket of Rohit.
The highlight will likely be on Kohli, who was dismissed cheaply in his facet’s opener towards Pakistan. The former skipper was dismissed for 4 runs off seven balls. Then in India’s win towards Nepal, he did not get to bat because the openers single-handedly settled the run-chase. Fans will likely be hoping for the veteran to bounce again to type and use his expertise to make an impression within the match. Speaking to Star Sports, former cricketer Mohammed Kaif said that Kohli may very well be India’s key participant on the reserve day.
“Overcoming challenges is one of Virat’s best qualities. That has become his habit. It’s a big match, and his record against Pakistan is great. Whenever he plays against Pakistan, his bat does the talking. And people have high expectations of him. People have expectations from someone who performs regularly”, he stated.
“For newer players, as it is a big game, the expectations are not as high. But if the senior players, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma, fail, the fans don’t like it at all. There is no compromise on that; they have to perform with the bat and continue their form for the past two or three years and perform well at the World Cup also”, he additional added.
Kaif additionally had some recommendation for the Indian batting order, stating that they need to play attacking cricket towards Pakistan bowlers, and likewise identified a key battle. “Shaheen will continue to bring the ball in, bowling his inswing. He has told himself that his game plan is very simple, bring the ball in and fast. Whatever the batsman wants to do, let him, his game plan is straightforward – bring the ball in, hit the pad and hit the stumps. So it will be exciting to see Virat Kohli in the form he is in to take him on; it is the most key matchup of the game. What makes Virat special is his ability to play in the big matches, and he won’t play on the back foot. Naseem Shah, Afridi or Rauf, whoever is bowling, don’t play on the backfoot. If you get the chance, even on the first ball, look for the boundary”, he stated.
Due to the climate situations on Sunday, India have a jam-packed schedule now and can face Sri Lanka of their Super 4 fixture on Tuesday, after which towards Bangladesh on Friday.Also Read
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Source: www.hindustantimes.com
