Asia Cup Archives

Pakistan call two back up pacers for Asia Cup 2023 remainder

COLOMBO: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed Monday that Shahnawaz Dahani and Zaman Khan have been added as backup pacers for the Asia Cup 2023 remainder.

According to a statement issued by the PCB, Shahnawaz Dahani and Zaman Khan have been called up as backup pacers after Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah picked up niggles in match against India.

“This is only a precautionary measure keeping in mind the fitness and well-being of the players ahead of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup next month,” the statement said.

The statement noted that Haris and Naseem will continue to remain under the observation of the team’s medical panel.

“The team management will only request replacement from the ACC technical committee if Naseem or Haris are ruled out for the next seven days,” it concluded.

Pakistan suffered a blow when officials said fast bowler Haris Rauf had suffered a strain and would take no further part. Later fellow quick Naseem Shah also walked off with some discomfort to his hand.

It is pertinent to mention here that Virat Kohli and returning KL Rahul hit unbeaten centuries to lead India’s 228-run thrashing of Pakistan in a rain-hit Super Four clash of the Asia Cup 2023 on Monday’s reserve day.

Kohli (122) and Rahul (111) put together 233 runs as India reached 356-2, a total defended after they bowled out Pakistan for 128 in the 50-over contest in Colombo.

Pakistan ended on 128-8 in 32 overs with injured bowlers Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah not turning out to bat. India spinner Kuldeep Yadav returned figures of 5-25.

READ: All-round India humble Pakistan in Asia Cup 2023 Super 4s clash

‘Fresh’ Sri Lanka confident against India in Asia Cup 2023

Sri Lanka will come in “fresh” for an Asia Cup Super Four clash against India likely to be playing for a third consecutive day, their coach said Monday.

India’s match against arch-rivals Pakistan spilt over into a reserve day on Monday after only 24.1 overs, with the 50-over contest acting as a prelude to their big battle in the upcoming ODI World Cup.

Dasun Shanaka’s Sri Lanka, who won the last edition of the Asia Cup — played in the T20 format — began their Super Four with a win over Bangladesh on Saturday. Another victory would improve their chances of making the final on September 17.

“With a team like India, you never know, but obviously they are playing three days in a row,” assistant coach Naveed Nawaz told reporters. “We have got a bit of a break since the last game, so the boys are fresh for tomorrow. That can be good for us.”

Sri Lanka remain unbeaten in the tournament after winning both their group matches while India are still searching for their first win in the Super Four stage.

“If we plan to play good cricket, if we execute our plans and go into the best version of ourselves in the middle against India — obviously the result will be favourable for us,” Nawaz said.

Only India have won more Asia Cup titles than Sri Lanka, who have often spoiled the India-Pakistan party in the final.

In the last edition, they beat Pakistan to lift the title in Dubai.

“Our boys are very resilient when it comes to handling pressure,” said Nawaz, pointing out that Sri Lanka have been without some of their first-choice players in the past two editions of the tournament.

One name to watch out for is up-and-coming fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana.

The 20-year-old has made an impression with his slinging action and toe-crushing yorkers similar to his hero Lasith Malinga.

Pathirana shone for MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings as they captured this year’s Indian Premier League title.

“I am sure MS and Chennai would have played a part in his development, but Pathirana is a product of Sri Lanka cricket,” said Nawaz, when asked about Dhoni’s part in brushing up Pathirana.

“He has played two Under-19 World Cups with us, he has been an identified product, and he has been in the development programmes of Sri Lanka Cricket.”

READ: All-round India humble Pakistan in Asia Cup 2023 Super 4s clash

All-round India humble Pakistan in Asia Cup 2023 Super 4s clash

COLOMBO: Virat Kohli and KL Rahul’s unbeaten centuries, followed by Kuldeep Yadav’s five-fer led India to a massive 228-run victory over Pakistan in the high-octane PAK vs IND clash of the ongoing Asia Cup 2023 on Monday.

Pakistan had a mountain to climb to book their spot in the final of the Asia Cup 2023 as they were set to chase a mammoth 357 against India.

The hosts after getting off to a dismal start, lost wickets at an alarming rate before being bundled out for a paltry 128 in 32 overs and thus India launched their Super 4s campaign with a resounding victory.

Out-of-form opener Fakhar Zaman remained the top-scorer for Pakistan amid their dismal batting show with a scratchy 27 off 50 deliveries with the help of two boundaries.

After Fakhar, the next-best contributors for Pakistan were Salman Ali Agha and Iftikhar Ahmed, who scored 23 each, followed by their skipper Babar Azam (10).

Besides them, none of their batters could make it to the double figures and Pakistan, consequently could raise 128 for the loss of eight wickets.

Since, their pacers Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah were not fit to bat, Pakistan were deemed bowled out for a skimpy total.

Kuldeep Yadav led the bowling attack for India in the high-octane PAK vs IND clash with a five-wicket haul, which came at the cost of just 25 runs.

Whereas, Hardik Pandya, Shardul Thakur and returning Jasprit Bumrah contributed with one wicket apiece.

Virat Kohli scored a brilliant 122 off 94 balls, laced with nine boundaries and three sixes. He scored his 47th ODI century, second most ODI centuries and completed his 13000 ODI runs, becoming only the fifth player to do so.

Meanwhile, KL Rahul made his return to competitive cricket in style after getting injured during the Indian Premier League in April-May. He scored 111 runs off 106 balls with the help of 12 boundaries and two sixes.

KL Rahul (17*) and Virat Kohli (8*) resumed their innings at 147 and continued their domination against Pakistani bowlers on the reserve day after the highly-anticipated PAK vs IND clash was postponed yesterday to the reserve day after persistent rain denied play on Sunday.

Notably, Pakistan entered the ground without their injured ace fast bowler Haris Rauf and was forced to bowl Iftikhar Ahmed, who gave away 52 runs in 5.2 overs.

Pakistan captain Babar Azam put India into bat after winning the toss yesterday in the high-octane PAK vs IND clash.

Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill gave India a flying start with a magnificent 121-run partnership. The pair dominated Pakistan’s bowling attack including their pace trio of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah.

Both Gill and Sharma, who struggled against the trio in the previous PAK vs IND clash on September 2, made a sensational comeback.

The duo frustrated Pakistan bowlers before Shadab Khan finally struck in his third over, removing Sharma, soon after he amassed his half-century.

Rohit Sharma smashed six boundaries and four sixes on his way to a brisk 49-ball 56.

Gill, on the other hand, soon followed the footsteps of his captain and walked back to the pavilion in the next over after being outdone by Shaheen Shah Afridi’s slower delivery.

He scored a 52-ball 58 which featured 10 boundaries.

Following the back-to-back blows, star batter Virat Kohli and returning KL Rahul batted cautiously amid their unbeaten 24-run partnership for the third wicket before rain interrupted the PAK vs IND clash yesterday.

They resumed cautiously on the reserve day before shifting gears in the latter overs.

KL Rahul and Virat Kohli knitted a magnificent unbeaten partnership of 233 runs in 194 balls to decimate the Pakistani bowling lineup.

Pakistani star fast bowler Shaheen Afridi picked one wicket and gave away 79 runs in his ten overs, while Shadab Khan picked 1 wicket for 71 runs.

READ: Asia Cup 2023: Haris Rauf ruled out of PAK vs IND clash

Asia Cup 2023: Haris Rauf ruled out of PAK vs IND clash

COLOMBO: Fast bowler Haris Rauf has been ruled out of the PAK vs IND clash of the ongoing Asia Cup 2023 at R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium.

“Haris Rauf will not be bowling any further in the Asia Cup Super 4 match against India as a precautionary measure. He felt a little discomfort in his right flank during the match yesterday,” the PCB said in a brief statement.

“He was subsequently taken for a precautionary MRI, which revealed no tear. He is under the observation of the team’s medical panel.”

Haris Rauf gave away 27 runs in his five wicketless overs against India yesterday before rain played spoilsport.

The highly-anticipated PAK vs IND clash was postponed yesterday to the reserve day after persistent rain denied play on Sunday.

When the rain intervened, India had raced to 147/2 in 24.1 overs with KL Rahul (17*) and Virat Kohli (8*) at the crease. They will resume India’s first innings today.

Earlier, after being put into bat first in the high-octane PAK vs IND clash, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill gave India a flying start with a magnificent 121-run partnership.

The pair dominated Pakistan’s bowling attack including their pace trio of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah.

Both Gill and Sharma, who struggled against the trio in the previous PAK vs IND clash on September 2, made a sensational comeback.

The duo frustrated Pakistan bowlers before Shadab Khan finally struck in his third over, removing Sharma, soon after he amassed his half-century.

Rohit Sharma smashed six boundaries and four sixes on his way to a brisk 49-ball 56.

Gill, on the other hand, soon followed the footsteps of his captain and walked back to the pavilion in the next over after being outdone by Shaheen Shah Afridi’s slower delivery.

He scored a 52-ball 58 which featured 10 boundaries.

After the dark clouds scattered and the rain finally decided to ease out, the umpires carried out several field inspections and opted not to resume the action due to a wet outfield.

Sri Lankan groundsmen made desperate efforts to dry out the wet areas by using sponges and fans and when they apparently got the situation under control, rain returned and eventually forced the match to be decided on the reserve day.

READ: New Zealand unveil squad for ICC ODI World Cup 2023

Kohli, Rahul tons propel India to thrash Pakistan in Asia Cup 2023

PAK 128 (32 Overs)

Kuldeep continues

PAK 121/7 (31 Overs)

Thakur replaces Jadeja

PAK 119/7 (30 Overs)

Kuldeep bowls

PAK 115/6 (29 Overs)

Jadeja continues from the other end

PAK 111/6 (28 Overs)

Kuldeep again

PAK 108/5 (27 Overs)

Jadeja continues

PAK 104/5 (26 Overs)

Kuldeep continues

PAK 101/5 (25 Overs)

Jadeja bowls his third

PAK 96/5 (24 Overs)

Kuldeep bowls

PAK 93/4 (23 Overs)

Jadeja continues

PAK 84/4 (22 Overs)

Kuldeep bowls again

PAK 83/4 (21 Overs)

Ravindra Jadeja comes into the attack

PAK 79/4 (20 Overs)

Kuldeep continues

PAK 77/3 (19 Overs)

Hardik continues

PAK 71/3 (18 Overs)

Kuldeep Yadav comes into the attack

PAK 69/3 (17 Overs)

Hardik continues to bowl

PAK 68/3 (16 Overs)

Thakur again

PAK 65/3 (15 Overs)

Hardik again

PAK 56/3 (14 Overs)

Thakur continues

PAK 48/3 (13 Overs)

Pandya continues

PAK 47/3 (12 Overs)

Shardul Thakur to bowl

Indian players ran onto the field immediately after the covers being taken off. Pakistan to resume their run chase with no overs deduction.

Rain interrupts play

PAK 44/2 (11 Overs)

10.4: Hardik cuts Babar in half with a ball that jags in sharply from the outside off to rattle the top of the stump.

Hardik Pandya comes into the attack

PAK 43/1 (10 Overs)

Siraj continues

PAK 38/1 (9 Overs)

Bumrah continues to bowl

PAK 30/1 (8 Overs)

Siraj continues

PAK 21/1 (7 Overs)

Bumrah continues

PAK 20/1 (6 Overs)

Siraj continues from the other end

PAK 17/1 (5 Overs)

4.2: Another full delivery, angling in, tricks Imam into playing but took the inside edge and is caught by Gill at the second slip.

Bumrah continues

PAK 17/0 (4 Overs)

Siraj continues

PAK 15/0 (3 Overs)

Bumrah continues

PAK 11/0 (2 Overs)

Mohammed Siraj to bowl from the other end

PAK 5/0 (1 Over)

Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq come out to open the innings for Pakistan. Jasprit Bumrah to bowl the first over.

PAKISTAN vs INDIA (2nd INNINGS)

COLOMBO: Star batter Virat Kohli and returning KL Rahul scored magnificent centuries and powered India to a mammoth 356/2 in the PAK vs IND clash of the ongoing Asia Cup 2023 against Pakistan.

IND 356/2 (50 Overs)

Faheem bowls the final over

IND 338/2 (49 Overs)

48.2: Naseem Shah goes off the field holding his palm/wrist. Iftikhar Ahmed to complete the over.

Naseem bowls his last

IND 330/2 (48 Overs)

Shaheen bowls his last

IND 319/2 (47 Overs)

Naseem bowls his ninth

IND 307/2 (46 Overs)

Shaheen comes back

IND 300/2 (45 Overs)

Faheem replaces Iftikhar

IND 286/2 (44 Overs)

Naseem replaces Shaheen

IND 280/2 (43 Overs)

Iftikhar continues

IND 264/2 (42 Overs)

Shaheen comes back

IND 255/2 (41 Overs)

Iftikhar returns

IND 251/2 (40 Overs)

Faheem bowls his eighth

IND 243/2 (39 Overs)

Shadab comes to bowl again

IND 237/2 (38 Overs)

Faheem comes to bowl

IND 231/2 (37 Overs)

Shadab resumes

IND 228/2 (36 Overs)

Faheem again

IND 225/2 (35 Overs)

Shadab comes back

IND 211/2 (34 Overs)

Faheem returns

IND 204/2 (33 Overs)

Iftikhar again

IND 193/2 (32 Overs)

Shaheen continues

IND 186/2 (31 Overs)

Iftikhar continues

IND 175/2 (30 Overs)

Shaheen Afridi replaces Naseem Shah from the other end

IND 167/2 (29 Overs)

Iftikhar Ahmed replaces Faheem Ashraf

IND 163/2 (28 Overs)

Naseem Shah continues

IND 155/2 (27 Overs)

Faheem Ashraf replaces Shadab Khan

IND 152/2 (26 Overs)

Naseem Shah to bowl from the other end

IND 150/2 (25 Overs)

Match resumes on Reserve Day

COLOMBO: The highly-anticipated PAK vs IND clash of the ongoing Asia Cup 2023 has been postponed to the reserve day on Monday, due to persistent rain, followed by a wet outfield here.

Rain interrupts play

IND 146/2 (24.1 Overs)

Shadab continues

IND 146/2 (24 Overs)

Haris continues

IND 140/2 (23 Overs)

Shadab Khan continues

IND 140/2 (22 Overs)

Haris Rauf replaces Shaheen Afridi at Khettarama end

IND 137/2 (21 Overs)

Shadab Khan continues

IND 135/2 (20 Overs)

Shaheen Afridi continues

IND 131/2 (19 Overs)

Shadab Khan continues

IND 124/2 (18 Overs)

17.5: Shubman Gill gets forward to drive but he’s caught at cover by Shadab Khan

Shaheen Afridi returns to the attack from Khettarama end

IND 122/1 (17 Overs)

16.4: Rohit Sharma presses forward and tries to chip it over long off, but he gets caught by Faheem Ashraf

Shadab Khan continues from Maligawatte end

IND 118/0 (16 Overs)

Haris Rauf continues

IND 115/0 (15 Overs)

Shadab Khan continues

IND 103/0 (14 Overs)

Haris Rauf continues

IND 96/0 (13 Overs)

Shadab Khan comes into the attack

IND 77/0 (12 Overs)

Haris Rauf replaces Naseem Shah

IND 69/0 (11 Overs)

Faheem Ashraf continues

IND 61/0 (10 Overs)

Naseem Shah continues

IND 53/0 (9 Overs)

Faheem Ashraf continues

IND 46/0 (8 Overs)

Naseem Shah continues

IND 38/0 (7 Overs)

Faheem Ashraf replaces Shaheen Afridi

IND 37/0 (6 Overs)

Naseem Shah continues

IND 37/0 (5 Overs)

Shaheen continues

IND 24/0 (4 Overs)

Naseem Shah continues

IND 23/0 (3 Overs)

Shaheen continues from the other end

IND 11/0 (2 Overs)

Naseem Shah to bowl from the other end

IND 6/0 (1 Over)

Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill come out to open for India.

Shaheen Afridi to bowl the first over.

PAKISTAN vs INDIA (1st INNINGS)

COLOMBO: Pakistan have won the toss and elected to bowl first against India in the ninth match of the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2023.

PLAYING XIs

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

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

HEAD TO HEAD RECORD:

Overall ODIs: Matches 133, India 55, Pakistan 73, NR 5

Asia Cup ODI: Matches 14, India 7, Pakistan 5, NR 2

READ: Pakistan, India set for rematch but rain threat persists despite reserve day

High-octane PAK vs IND clash postponed due to persistent rain

COLOMBO: The highly-anticipated PAK vs IND clash of the ongoing Asia Cup 2023 has been postponed to the reserve day on Monday, due to persistent rain, followed by a wet outfield here.

When the rain intervened, India had raced to 147/2 in 24.1 overs with KL Rahul (17*) and Virat Kohli (8*) at the crease.

With no further action possible on Sunday, Rahul and Kohli will resume India’s first innings on the reserve day tomorrow.

Earlier, after being put into bat first in the high-octane PAK vs IND clash, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill gave India a flying start with a magnificent 121-run partnership.

The pair dominated Pakistan’s bowling attack including their pace trio of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah.

Both Gill and Sharma, who struggled against the trio in the previous PAK vs IND clash on September 2, made a sensational comeback.

The duo frustrated Pakistan bowlers before Shadab Khan finally struck in his third over, removing Sharma, soon after he amassed his half-century.

Rohit Sharma smashed six boundaries and four sixes on his way to a brisk 49-ball 56.

Gill, on the other hand, soon followed the footsteps of his captain and walked back to the pavilion in the next over after being outdone by Shaheen Shah Afridi’s slower delivery.

He scored a 52-ball 58 which featured 10 boundaries.

After the dark clouds scattered and the rain finally decided to ease out, the umpires carried out several field inspections and opted not to resume the action due to a wet outfield.

READ: Australia pip Pakistan to top ODI Rankings by thrashing South Africa

Asia Cup 2023: Pakistan win toss, elect to bowl first against India

COLOMBO: Pakistan have won the toss and elected to bowl first against India in the ninth match of the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2023.

PLAYING XIs

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

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

HEAD TO HEAD RECORD:

Overall ODIs: Matches 133, India 55, Pakistan 73, NR 5

Asia Cup ODI: Matches 14, India 7, Pakistan 5, NR 2

READ: Pakistan, India set for rematch but rain threat persists despite reserve day

Pakistan, India set for rematch but rain threat persists despite reserve day

Fierce cricketing rivals Pakistan and India are all set for their Asia Cup 2023 rematch on Sunday with a reserve day on Monday but the Sri Lankan rain refused to relent and still threatens the much-anticipated PAK vs IND clash.

The cricketing fever has reached its zenith as the two Asian giants are going face to face once again in the span of one week at the Super 4 stage of the Asia Cup 2023; to ensure a complete match amid rain predictions in Colombo on September 10, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) yesterday announced a reserve day for the high-octane clash.

This decision came after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) echoed reservations about the scheduling of the Asia Cup 2023 Super 4s stage in Colombo where heavy rainfall is forecast until the end of the tournament.

Consequently, if PAK vs IND clash gets washed out on September 10 then the action will resume on September 11 from the stage it was halted.

The arch-rivals came face to face in the group stage of the Asia Cup 2023 on September 2, however, the rain played spoilsport and deprived fans of the conclusion of PAK vs IND.

Pakistani pace trio of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah made India regret their decision to bat first under heavy clouds as they booked India on 266, despite Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya’s half-centuries.

However, the persistent downpour washed out the game without a single ball being bowled in the second innings of the blockbuster clash and the two sides settled for a point each.

Pakistan’s pace trio have stood out with 23 wickets between them and played a key role in the team’s performance so far in the Asia Cup 2023.

Indian batters struggled against Pakistan’s pace battery in the previous encounter and will be eyeing to bounce back, with KL Rahul also expecting to make a comeback in tomorrow’s game, which will help bolster their batting power.

The 31-year-old Rahul has not played any competitive cricket since getting injured during the Indian Premier League in April-May. He has developed an injury niggle unrelated to the original thigh problem.

However, adjusting Rahul in the batting order will be a challenge for Indian management as his replacement Ishan Kishan has scored four half-centuries in his last four innings, including the last PAK vs IND clash.

Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah is also back after missing out on the match against Nepal due to personal reasons.

He made his comeback from injury in the T20I series against Ireland last month and made an immediate impact with a man-of-the-match performance in the first game.

However, he couldn’t bowl against Pakistan in the last match due to persistent rain in the second innings, so his match fitness for the ODI match will be tested in Sri Lankan conditions.

Pakistan on the other hand has already announced the Playing XI for the anticipated Asia Cup 2023 Super 4s clash, with Faheem Ashraf replacing Mohammad Nawaz from the lineup that faced India last week.

Faheem Ashraf made his return to the ODI side in Pakistan’s first Super 4 stage match against Bangladesh, after a long hiatus of two years. His last outing in the ODI format before then was during Pakistan’s three-match away series against England in July 2021.

Faheem Ashraf picked the prized scalp of Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan and will be Pakistan’s trump card in the middle overs, as Indian batters played fluently in that phase.
[totalpoll id=”253612″]

Meanwhile, the spearhead of Pakistan pace attack Shaheen Afridi, ahead of PAK vs IND tomorrow, has warned that his devastating spell against arch-rivals India was just the start and the best is yet to come.

“Every match against India is special and people watch this a lot,” Shaheen Afridi said on Friday. “I used to wait for this match as a fan before I played under-16 cricket.”

“I can’t say this has been my best spell so far. This is just the start and there will be many more, so the best is yet to come.”

The left-arm fast bowler rattled the Indian top-order in their Group A clash last week, returning magnificent figures of 4/35 which included the wickets of star batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.

With all the noise around Pakistan’s bowling against India’s batting, it is yet to be seen, how Pakistani batters tackle the Indian bowling lineup. It would be interesting to see, only if the weather allows this time around.

FORM GUIDE:

PAKISTAN W, W, W, W, W (last five completed ODIs, most recent first)

INDIA W, W, L, W, L

HEAD TO HEAD RECORD:

Overall ODIs: Matches 133, India 55, Pakistan 73, NR 5

Asia Cup ODI: Matches 14, India 7, Pakistan 5, NR 2

READ More from Asia Cup 2023: Babar Azam believes Pakistan has an ‘edge’ over India

Asia Cup 2023: Pakistan name Playing XI for blockbuster India clash

COLOMBO: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Saturday, announced Pakistan’s Playing XI for the anticipated Asia Cup 2023 Super 4s clash against arch-rivals India.

Pakistan will field an unchanged lineup which handed a seven-wicket defeat to Bangladesh in the first Super 4s match of the Asia Cup 2023.

Our playing XI for the #PAKvIND match 🇵🇰#AsiaCup2023 pic.twitter.com/K25PXbLnYe

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) September 9, 2023

The lineup features Pakistan captain Babar Azam, his deputy Shadab Khan, Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, Iftikhar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf.

Faheem, who replaced Mohammad Nawaz in Pakistan’s Playing XI for the Bangladesh fixture, justified his inclusion with brilliant bowling, giving away only 27 runs in his seven overs and taking the prized wicket of Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan.

The Asia Cup 2023 group-stage PAK vs IND clash marked the two teams’ first faceoff in the ODI format since the 2019 World Cup.

The two fierce rivals came face to face on September 2 but the rain played spoilsport after Pakistan’s pace trio of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah booked India on 266.

The second innings of the blockbuster clash could not be possible and the two sides settled for a point each.

Meanwhile, with Faheem in the Playing XI, Pakistan’s bowling attack looked more lethal which decimated India’s strong batting order.

The two fierce rivals are now set for their rematch in the Super 4s on Sunday, which will have a reserve day.

But the rain has refused to ease out and is forecast till the end of the tournament.

It is pertinent to mention that a victory in the blockbuster PAK vs IND clash, would propel Pakistan into the final of the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2023 but in case of a washout, Pakistan would need at least a draw against Sri Lanka to advance into the tournament.

READ: Asia Cup 2023: Samarawickrama’s blitz powers Sri Lanka to 257 against Bangladesh

Sri Lanka edge Bangladesh to register first Super 4s win in Asia Cup 2023

COLOMBO: Sadeera Samarawickrama’s blistering 93-run knock, followed by a combined bowling effort led Sri Lanka to a 21-run victory over Bangladesh in the eighth match of the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2023 on Saturday.

Set to chase 258, Bangladesh could accumulate 236 runs before being bundled out in the penultimate over despite Towhid Hridoys’s gutsy 82.

Bangladesh openers Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Mohammad Naim laid a solid foundation for the run chase with a brisk 55-run partnership but Dasun Shanaka struck twice in his successive overs to script Sri Lanka’s comeback as Bangladesh slipped to 60/2.

Miraz scored a 29-ball 28 while Naim played a cautious 21-run knock in 46 deliveries.

Bangladesh then coped two more blows to their run chase after experienced batter Litton Das (15) and skipper Shakib Al Hasan (3) perished cheaply.

With the visitors reeling at 83/4 in 18.5 overs, Hridoy put together an anchoring 72-run partnership with wicketkeeper batter Mushfiqur Rahim.

The pair had stabilized Bangladesh’s innings before Dasun Shanaka once again drew an important breakthrough, dismissing Mushfiqur in the 38th over. He scored 29 off 48 balls.

Hridoy then stitched brief partnerships with Shamim Hossain and Nasum Ahmed before finally perishing in the 44th over when Bangladesh needed a further 61 runs.

Towhid Hridoy remained the top-scorer for Bangladesh in their must-win Asia Cup 2023 fixture with a 97-ball 82 which featured seven boundaries and a six.

Following his dismissal, Nasum and Hasan Mahmud kept Bangladesh in the hunt by scoring valuable runs at the backend but their heroics were not enough to guide their side to glory.

Nasum scored a run-a-ball 15 while Mahmud scored 10 not out off seven deliveries.

For Sri Lanka, Dasun Shanaka, Maheesh Theekshana and Matheesha Pathirana bagged three wickets each while Dunith Wellalage made one scalp.

The 21-run victory over Bangladesh not only marked Sri Lanka’s first win in the Super 4s stage of the Asia Cup 2023 but also extended their unbeaten streak in the ODIs.

Bangladesh, on the other hand, are now on the verge of elimination and would need a miracle to make it to the final.

Put into bat first, Sri Lanka managed to put a commendable total on the board, courtesy of Sadeera Samarawickrama’s late fireworks and Kusal Mendis’s anchoring half-century.

The home side had a shaky start to their innings as they lost their opener Dimuth Karunaratne (18) cheaply with 34 runs on the board in 5.3 overs.

Mendis then joined opening batter Pathum Nissanka in the middle and the pair anchored the innings with a sensible 74-run partnership which lasted with Nissanka’s dismissal in the 24th over.

Nissanka fell 10 runs short of his half-century, scoring 40 off 50 deliveries and hit five boundaries.

Mendis also followed Nissanka back to the hut two overs later as Sri Lanka slipped to 117/3 in 26 overs.

Sri Lanka then lost two more wickets in quick successions as Charith Asalanka (10) and Dhananjaya de Silva (six) walked back after making modest contributions.

With the home side reeling at 164/5 in the 38th over, Sadeera Samarawickrama was joined by his captain Dasun Shanaka and the pair scripted an astounding recovery by knitting a crucial 60-run partnership.

The duo frustrated Bangladesh bowlers in their must-win Asia Cup 2023 game by scoring at a rapid pace before young pacer Hasan Mahmud provided a much-needed breakthrough in the form of Shanaka’s dismissal.

The Sri Lankan captain scored a cautious 32-ball 24, which featured a boundary.

Following his dismissal, Samarawickrama stood his ground firm and ticked the scoreboard single-handedly while losing partners at the other end before finally perishing on the final delivery of the innings, seven short of his well-deserved century.

Sadeera Samarawickrama smashed eight boundaries and two sixes on his way to top score for Sri Lanka with a 72-ball 93.

Right-arm pacers Hasan Mahmud and Taskin Ahmed led the bowling attack for Bangladesh in their must-win Asia Cup 2023 fixture with three wickets each, followed by Shoriful Islam’s two.

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