The highly anticipated Asia Cup match between cricketing heavyweights India and Pakistan ended in disappointment for both players and spectators as continuous rain forced the cancellation of the Group A match at Pallekele. After Pakistan had seized the lead in the game by dismissing India for 266 in 48.5 overs, nature had other ideas and the match ended in a draw. Virat Kohli’s response was captured over Shaheen Afridi’s bowling against Rohit Sharma.
Gavaskar delivers Judgment on Rohit Said: “Not a huge concern”
The failure of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli during the Asia Cup match against Pakistan was the subject of Sunil Gavaskar’s original perspective. The failure of the top order, according to former India captain Sunil Gavaskar, is not a “huge concern” for the team management, he says.
“I don’t believe there is any cause for alarm. You examine their credentials. Virat has amassed more than 11000 runs, Rohit more than 9000 runs, while Shubman Gill has hinted at some of his potential. We will not need to be concerned if we have a responsible No. 5 and No. 6 who can lead us to 260 or so even if major players like Virat and Rohit falter. There may be days when the bowlers are too excellent in cricket, Gavaskar said to Sports Tak.
As a result of sharing points with India, Babar Azam’s Pakistani squad, encouraged by their resounding victory against Nepal in the tournament’s opening match, guaranteed its spot in the Super Fours round. The game’s initial exchanges were dominated by Pakistan, who are now ranked first in the world. Shaheen Afridi led a furious pace attack that reduced India to 66/4 before Hardik Pandya (87) and Ishan Kishan (82) inspired the men in blue to mount a comeback.
Virat Kohli’s brilliant response to Shaheen Afridi’s bowling against Rohit Sharma.
In their Group A match on Saturday at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Pallekele, India’s speedster Shaheen Shah Afridi of Pakistan put on an electrifying display.
Virat Kohli’s response was captured on video once as he repeatedly hammered Rohit’s bat with the new ball. Afridi beat Rohit’s bat with an outswinger as Kohli, the next hitter, was suited up and waiting in the locker room.
When he saw how much movement Afridi was able to get with the ball, Kohli’s eyes widened and he appeared surprised. In his first spell, he was breathing fire, and Rohit was struck with an outswinger that rattled his stumps.
Pakistan now ranked first in the world
As a result of sharing points with India, Babar Azam’s Pakistani squad, encouraged by their resounding victory against Nepal in the tournament’s opening match, guaranteed its spot in the Super Fours round. The game’s initial exchanges were dominated by Pakistan, who are now ranked first in the world. Shaheen Afridi led a furious pace attack that reduced India to 66/4 before Hardik Pandya (87) and Ishan Kishan (82) inspired the men in blue to mount a comeback.
The Indian top order was once again troubled by Shaheen, with Rohit Sharma (11) and Virat Kohli (4) both losing wickets quickly to the left-armer. After Shaheen outwitted both of India’s top batsmen, Shreyas Iyer (14) and Shubman Gill (10) suffered cheap dismissals as well, dealing the team an immediate blow.
Nepal lost to Pakistan in their opening game
On Monday, Team India will play Nepal in the group’s last encounter, and it will be a game they absolutely must win. Rain is still a possibility in Pallekele for the game, but India will not lose their spot in the Super Fours if it is postponed because Nepal lost to Pakistan by a score of 238 runs in their opening game on Wednesday.
The Indian team management breathed a sigh of relief after Ishan’s innings since it had recently come under fire for its experiments with the batting order. Ishan, who is naturally an opener, was sent in to bat at number five, replacing KL Rahul, but he showed no signs of trepidation as he fearlessly faced the Pakistani pace attack, counter-attacking the three with a sequence of boundaries early in his innings.
