KANDY: India have set a fighting target of 267 runs for Pakistan in the second match of the Asia Cup 2023 in Pallekele, Sri Lanka, on Saturday.
Pakistani pacers – Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah – dismissed all India players at 266 in 48.5 overs.
Shaheen Afridi bambozzled served early blows to India as he removed opening batsman Rohit Sharma and sent him back to pavilion soon after the play resumed after brief ran. An over later, he also claimed Kohli’s wicket with trademark inswinger. He also sent Hardik Pandya and Jedeja to packing, to complete his four-fer.
Haris Rauf also delivered magical spell as he dismissed Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan at a critical point when the middle order pair – Kishan and Pandya – was helping the team recover from early losses.
Naseem Shah removed Thakur, Jasprit Bhumra and Kuldeep Yadav – the tail order of the Team Blue, restricting it to 266.
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Earlier, rain disrupted the match between Pakistan and India.
India won the toss and elected to bat first in the high-octane match with Pakistan. India were 15 without loss when showers stopped the match.
Pakistan’s pacers bowled with ferocity restricting India in early overs.
Hours earlier, showers fell in and around the stadium prompting the ground staff to cover the pitch. Rain stopped after half an hour or so.
