India vs Pakistan HIGHLIGHTS, Asia Cup 2023: Rain forces washout in Pallekele; Hardik, Kishan shine; PAK qualifies for Super 4s

The players shake hands as the match is officially washed out. The teams will share a point each and Pakistan qualifies for the Super 4s.

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The revised target under the DLS method for Pakistan will be 226 in 36 overs. And it starts to rain again!

The umpires walk out to the centre with the light roller in effect around the strip. Rohit and Babar are now having a chat with the umpires.

The umpires will make another inspection at 9 PM IST.

Rain is back just at the end of the Indian innings. The ground has been covered.

Naseem Shah to Kuldeep, OUT! Wicket number two for Naseem as he removes Kuldeep who nicked the outside ball to keeper Riwan. India nine down. Mohammed Siraj is the last man in. He gets a single, Shah to Bumrah, FOUR! He is scoring crucial runs for India as this time he went over mid-off. Shah to Bumrah, OUT! His 14-ball resistance comes to an end as India has been bundled out on 266 inside 49 overs!

Afridi with his last over of the spell. He gives four runs to end an impressive spell of 10-2-35-4.

Rauf replaces Shah from the other end. Rauf to Bumrah, FOUR! Brilliant shot by Bumrah as he positioned himself well against the full-length ball and placed at extra-covers. Five from this over.

Afridi continues. Afridi to Bumrah, FOUR! He hits it over mid-on to get a much-needed boundary, which also brings 250 on the board for India. Six runs from this over as Kuldeep survives a direct hit at the non-striker’s end.

Naseem Shah continues from the other end. Shah to Thakur, OUT! India is falling like a pack of cards here. Three wickets in the last seven deliveries. Thakur plays a reckless shot and a leading edge goes straight to Shadab Khan at point who completes a clean catch. In comes Jasprit Bumrah at number 10. Four from this over.

Shaheen Afridi comes back in the attack. Afridi to Pandya, OUT! Afridi gives the big breakthrough instantly. He deceives Pandya with a slower ball while he goes to play his shot and gives an easy catch to Salman, who makes no mistake this time to send the set batter away. Shardul Thakur is the new batter in at number eight. Afrid to Jadeja, OUT! One more in this over! He removed Jadeja on 14 while he tried to linger on the outside-off ball.

Naseem Shah continues. Just a single from the first three deliveries. Shah to Pandya , CLOSE! Pandya plays very close to his body and the ball landed just near the stumps, he however takes a quick single. Shah bowls a brilliant over to give just two from this over.

Shadab Khan replaces Rauf. Shadab to Jadeja, FOUR! Clever from Jadeja to go back and pull it quickly to find a gap at mid-wicket. Khan to Pandya, FOUR! Poor from Agha Salman who midfield an easy but quick shot from Pandya at backward point. 11 from this over.

Naseem Shah is back into the attack to bowl his sixth He keeps it tight to give five from his over with two doubles and a single as India goes back 225 in 41 overs.

Rauf continues. Rauf to Pandya, FOUR! He Slams hard and cuts the short, outside-off ball to start the over with a boundary. Rauf to Pandya, FOUR! One more says Pandya as he plays the ball very late and guides it fine at the third man for the second boundary in a row. Rauf to Pandya, FOUR! Stand-and-deliver. Third of the over! He is ripping Rauf apart in this over. A short one from Rauf this time and pulled away by Pandya at mid-wicket. 12 off the over.

Shadab Khan replaces Nawaz from the attack and gives five from his over.

Rauf continues. Rauf to Kishan, OUT! Oh no, what have you done, young man? Kishan tried to go for another big shot, but he could only manage to give a regulation catch to Babar at mid-on. Babar’s decision to bring Rauf back in the attack worked at the pacer broke the 138-run stand between Kishan and Pandya. Nonetheless, it was a brilliant innings from Kishan. Jadeja is the new man in. A single and a wicket from this over.

Mohammad Nawaz from the other end. Nawaz to Kishan, FOUR! Goes back and pulls it away at deep mid-wicket to start the over on a good note. He takes a single to put Pandya back on strike and he smacks the next ball over the park for a MAXIMUM! He picked the length early and went down on one knee to send the ball away. A double will also bring up 200 for India! 15 off the over.

Babar calls Haris Rauf back into the attack. Another economical over as four comes from it.

Nawaz continues. He gives five singles.

Agha Salman from the other end. Salman to Kishan, FOUR! Smart cricket from Kishan as he guides the low full-toss at short fine leg with a cheeky lap shot. Hardik takes a single from the last ball to bring his fifty! The duo has been tremendous in this inning till now for India.

Mohammad Nawaz comes back into the attack. Nawaz to Kishan, SIX! Brilliant shot by the left-hander as he made room for himself and sent the ball over the bowler’s head for a maximum. Only a single from the last four balls as the right comes from the over.

Agha Salman continues. He keeps his length tight to give just four runs including a wide.

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IND vs PAK, Asia Cup 2023: Ishan Kishan hits fourth consecutive ODI fifty, emulates MS Dhoni’s feat

IND vs PAK, Asia Cup 2023: Ishan Kishan became the second Indian keeper after MS Dhoni to record four consecutive ODI fifties in Pallekele on Saturday.

Time for drinks break!

Hardik takes a double from the first ball of Shadab which takes India past 150 in the 31st over! This is a decent recovery from both batters to keep India in the game. Five singles from last five balls.

Agha Salman continues. Just two from this over.

Shadab Khan comes back in the attack. Kishan takes a single which brings up his well-fought fifty! A much-needed one for India under tremendous pressure. Khan to Kishan, FOUR! Kishan pulls the short ball towards long-on and a midfield by the boundary rider makes sure India gets a boundary. Seven from this over.

Agha Salman comes into the attack. Hardik takes a single, which turns out to be a no-ball! Kishan tries to lash onto the free-hit but can only manage a single, and moves to 49. Pandya takes a double after playing three dots. He plays out another dot to end the over that gave five runs.

Shaheen continues from the other end. Pandya tries to cut the short ball but finds a fielder at point this time. Shaheen follows it up with a middle-line ball, and Pandya defends with total control. He finally gets a single after playing three dots. The end of a tight over that only leaked one run.

Nawaz continues. Nawaz to Kishan, FOUR! That’s a lovely drive to use the extra-covers region for a boundary. Three singles as seven come from the over.

Shaheen returns. Kishan taps the first ball towards point and finds a single. Short from Shaheen and Hardk pulls the ball through mid-on for FOUR.

Kishan and Hardik pick the gaps for singles as Nawaz continues to fiddle with his lengths. BEATEN. Nawaz draws Hardik forward with a beautiful delivery that drifts sharply past past the outside-edge.

A superb counter from Kishan and Hardik as they raise a 50-run stand from just 52 deliveries.

Nawaz sends in a flat delivery and Kishan slices it towards short-third. A misfield from Shaheen concedes two runs. Kishan moves into the forties.

Shadab slides one in and Kishan rocks back for a deft late cut behind square for FOUR. Shadab switches to around the wicket and angles the ball in to Kishan. He drives the ball to long-on for a single.

100 up for India as Hardik and Kishan stir up the recovery process.

Shadab returns. Hardik drives the first ball through cover for a single. A tight over from the leggie as only two runs come off it. Hardik attempts a paddle sweep but fails to clear the short fine-leg fielder.

Mohammad Nawaz replaces Shadab. Fuller delivery and Hardik drives comfortably through cover for one run. Nawaz deceives Kishan with a loopy delivery, slower through the air. Kishan lunges forward to defend as the ball whizzes past the blade. Stifled appeal from the keeper and Nawaz and Pakistan opts for a review. Kishan survives as the UltraEdge shows no spike whatsoever.

Rauf sends in a quick bumper and Kishan nonchalantly flicks it off his hips over the backward square-leg fielder for FOUR. A single to follow. The ball keeps low to trump Rizwan again and concede a bye. Rauf comes around the wicket and beats Kishan outside the off-stump with pace. A ripper from Rauf as he seams one past Kishan’s inside-half to the keeper.

Shadab loops one in and Kishan drills the ball down the ground for FOUR. Full toss from Shadab and Kishan taps it past mid-off for another FOUR. A single to follow. Hardik plays Shadab with the turn through cover and reels in two runs.

Rauf to Gill, OUT! Cleaned him up. Change of ends and Rauf seams one in sharply to neutralise Gill’s defence. His woeful knock comes to an end as Hardik Pandya walks in.

Shubman Gill b Haris Rauf 10 (32b 1x4)

First sight of spin as Shadab Khan replaces Rauf. Gill and Kishan tap about the circle for three singles.

Naseem overpitches and finds a thick outside-edge from Gill down to third for a single. EDGED and safe! Kishan gets away with a streaky FOUR as Naseem finds the outside-edge off a mistimed flick, trickling past first-slip.

We’re back. Rauf to continue. Fine sunshine beaming across the turf as Gill flicks Rauf towards mid-wicket for a single. Short and wide from Rauf and Kishan flashes his blade hard and sends the ball over third for SIX.

The skies clear up once again as the groundstaff remove the covers in a flash. We’re back in any moment now. Game to resume at 4:55 PM IST.

And the showers set in once again and the covers come on once again.

Change of ends or Naseem. Another sharp outswinger skims low past Rizwan and India gets a bye. Close! Kishan perilously leaves Naseem on length as the ball seams in just past the off-stump. Kishan finally gets some wood on the blade as he tucks the incoming delivery to fine leg for two runs.

Rauf continues to waver with his lengths and sends one down leg to Gill who finally breaks the shackles with a flick down to fine leg for FOUR. A single to follow. Rauf to Iyer, OUT! Short ball and Iyer pumps it straight to Fakhar Zaman at mid-wicket. Ishan Kishan is in at 5.

Shreyas Iyer c Fakhar Zaman b Haris Rauf 14 (9b 2x4)

Gill continues to struggle against Shaheen. Beaten! A beauty from Shaheen! Gill plants his front leg forward as the ball seams away late from length, almost cutting him in half. What a delivery.

Haris Rauf replaces Shah. He starts with a loose delivery onto the pads and Iyer flicks it towards mid-wicket for two runs. Rauf overpitches and Iyer drives comfortably through extra cover for another two. A hint of room and Iyer smokes the ball on the up through cover for FOUR. Probably not from the middle of the bat and looks like Iyer has broken his blade. Rauf slides one in and Iyer springs up with a wristy flick through mid-on for another FOUR.

Gill opens his account after 11 deliveries with a quick single. He taps Shaheen gently towards mid-off and sets off on a tight run. Shaheen to Kohli, OUT! Played on. Shaheen attempts to move the ball in and Kohli gets a sharp inside-edge back onto the stumps. Shreyas Iyer is in at 4. He’s off the mark with a single.

Virat Kohli b Shaheen Shah Afridi 4 (7b 1x4)

Gill finds a single and brings Virat Kohli on strike against Naseem. Naseem nearly squares up Kohli with a sharp delivery towards the middle-stump. Kohli gets a gentle leading edge towards cover. Wayward from Naseem as he sprays the ball down leg for five wides. A hint of room and bang goes Kohli through the covers. Length on offer and Kohli blasts the ball past the inner-circle for FOUR.

Play resumes with Shaheen running in to Rohit. Rohit resumes with a solid block. Shaheen angles one across and Rohit opts for a late leave. Beaten. Full and straighter from Shaheen and the ball hisses past the outside-edge. Shaheen to Rohit, OUT! A jaffa to castle the India captain. Shaheen lands it in the perfect spot and the ball coasts through to hit the top of off, making the most of the little gap between Rohit’s bat and pad.

Rohit Sharma b Shaheen Shah Afridi 11 (22b 2x4)

The covers are being peeled off as the rain relents after a brief spell. Rohit and Gill are on the sidelines, keen to walk in.

Shaheen continues. Fraction shorter to Rohit and tapped solidly towards the cover fielder. We have a sudden downpour and there are the covers! The players take a quick sprint back to the dressing rooms as we are in for a frustrating break.

While we wait, here is former Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez speaking about how India needs to find a way to handle pressure in the knockout stages.

Naseem sends in a pacy outswinger, well out from Gill’s reach. Naseem maintains impeccable control with his deliveries outside the off-stump and Gill is content to shoulder arms. A wide to follow. Naseem finds his line again and prompts a late leave from Gill outside the off-stump. Naseem steams in and Gill pulls out just as Naseem sets into his delivery stride.

Shaheen begins with a wide. Straighter this time and Rohit blocks it out with a wobbly push towards cover. Full on the legs and Rohit nonchalantly flicks the ball behind square for FOUR. Shaheen moves the ball across and Rohit leans forward to push the ball to the cover fielder. Shorter this time and Rohit springs up to leave the ball on length. Another yorker and Rohit does well to bend low to dig that one out from the middle-stump line. Shaheen probes Rohit with another straight delivery and the India captain uses his soft hands to guide the ball just past the bowler.

Naseem Shah from the opposite end. He starts with a fine delivery on length outside the off-stump and Rohit leaves it on length. Naseem pushes the ball forward and it keeps dangerously low as it moves towards the keeper. That’s going to put some doubt in the batters’ minds. A single to follow. Loud shout as Naseem thuds the ball high onto Gill’s pads. Gill errs by moving to the backfoot and attempting a flick against a quick delivery. Naseem goes wider this time and Rohit dabs the ball down to third for a single.

Shaheen at the top of his mark, Rohit on strike. A slip, fine-leg and a deep third in place. Shaheen starts with a perfect inswinging yorker and Rohit digs it out from the blockhole towards cover. Shaheen slides one in and Rohit flicks the ball past mid-wicket for FOUR and he’s off the blocks. Is that a drop? Yes, it is as the ball burst through Nawaz within the circle. Close! Shorter length and the ball seams in sharply to cut Rohit in half. The ball is a touch too high as it brushes the pads. Full, angling in again and Rohit works it towards the short mid-wicket. An inside-edge down to fine-leg for a single. Wide down leg from Shaheen. Another inswinging delivery on the fuller side and Gill tentatively guides it towards the short mid-wicket fielder.

The sun’s out just in time for the game to have an on-time start. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill in the middle for India as Shaheen Afridi takes the new ball.

Rohit Sharma and Babar Azam lead their respective sides out for the national anthems.

India XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.

Pakistan XI: Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Agha Salman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf.

TOSS: India wins toss, opts to bat

Rohit: We’re gonna bat first. There is a bit of weather around, but can’t think much about it. Got to play good cricket, you need to embrace the challenge, embrace the situation. We had some time off after the West Indies series. Everyone was up for those drills and challenges in Bangalore. Let’s see what we can achieve in this tournament. It’s a quality tournament with quality opposition. At the end of the day, we need to see what we can achieve as a team. Iyer is back, Bumrah is back and we have three seamers with Shardul and Siraj. Got two spinners - Kuldeep and Jadeja.

Babar Azam: We would have batted first, but toss is not in our hands. We have played a lot of cricket here, so we know the conditions. Top teams are playing so Asia Cup is good. We’ll try to do our best. We are playing with the same combination, no changes. Performing well always gives you confidence, we’ll try to capitalize. It’s a high-intensity match, we’ll try to be calm and composed.

Sanjay Manjrekar: A high-quality and unique pitch. Fast bowlers can get some seam, the spinners will get some turn, and a good batter can also score a century on this wicket. With DLS in the picture, the captain winning the toss might prefer to bowl first.

The Indian side has begun its warm-ups while Mickey Arthur leads the talk in the Pakistan huddle.

Wicketkeeper: Mohammad Rizwan
Batters: Babar Azam, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli (c), Iftikhar Ahmed
All-rounders: Ravindra Jadeja, Shadab Khan
Bowlers: Shaheen Afridi (vc), Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Haris Rauf
Team Composition: IND 5:6 PAK; Credits Left: 7

Matches played: 132
India won: 55
Pakistan won: 73
No Result: 4
Last meeting: India won by 89 runs (Manchester; June 2019)

IND vs PAK: Form (Recent ODI results)

India: W-L-W-L-L

Pakistan: W-W-W-W-L

IND vs PAK: Head-to-head form (last five ODIs)

India won: 4, Pakistan won: 1

The upcoming meeting, a first between India and Pakistan in an ODI since the 2019 World Cup, will also be just the fourth time they will play an ODI in Sri Lanka.

Two of the first three India-Pakistan ODI matches in Sri Lanka were abandoned with another bearing a No Result due to rain in 1997. Pakistan then beat India by 59 runs at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo in the 2004 Asia Cup, courtesy of an all-round effort from Shoaib Malik (143 and 2/42).

Daddy hundreds. That’s the term associated with Rohit Sharma, the ODI batter. In the recent past though, the India captain - the only batter with three double hundreds in the 50-over-a-side format - has adopted a different strategy of preferring strike rate improvement over putting a price tag on his wicket.

As India enters the last leg of the preparation for the World Cup with the marquee Asia Cup clash against Pakistan, Rohit has hinted at returning to his old self for the big stage.

Video: Ind vs Pak, Asia Cup 2023: Need to understand when to take risks and when not to, says Rohit Sharma

Ahead of the Asia Cup 2023 match against Pakistan, India captain Rohit Sharma has talked about his need to understand when to take risks and when not to.

INDIA: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya (VC), Ravindra Jadeja, Ishan Kishan, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Md. Shami, Md. Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna

PAKISTAN: Babar Azam (c), Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Haris, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Faheem Ashraf, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir (travelling reserve)

Where can I watch the IND vs PAK Asia Cup 2023 match today?

The India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2023 match will be telecast live on the Star Sports network and will be streamed live on the Disney+ Hotstar app.

Where will the IND vs PAK Asia Cup 2023 match be played?

The India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2023 match will be played at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy.

Fitness test for one side. Carrying the form for another. And the last leg for the World Cup preparations for both the sides. All these objectives will be paused for eight hours at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on the outskirts of hilly Kandy starting Saturday afternoon.

After all, it’s India vs Pakistan time. That too in the Asia Cup. And the same stands and grass banks that wore a deserted look on Thursday for Sri Lanka’s game against Bangladesh - the other fierce inter-continental rivalry - will be choc-a-bloc. READ MORE

- Amol Karhadkar