COLOMBO: Despite being the reserve day for the blockbuster clash between Pakistan and India, the chances of the match being completed today (Monday) are slim as the weather in Colombo remains unclear with heavy rain forecast later in the day. .
The capital of Sri Lanka has been continuously drizzling since morning and clouds are hovering over the city while the Meteorological Department has issued a heavy rain warning after 4 pm.
Rain again marred the much-anticipated Asia Cup on Sunday, halting the Super Four clash of the tournament between the arch-rivals, which will now conclude today.
Put into bat, India had reached 147-2 in 24.1 overs when heavy rain suspended play. The umpires waited for nearly four hours before deciding that the rest of the match would be played on a reserve day.
The September 2 group match between the heavyweights at Paley Kale was called off due to rain after the Indian innings.
Indian openers impressed on Sunday after Pakistan captain Babar Azam won the toss and elected to field at the R Premadasa Stadium.
Shaheen Afridi has troubled India’s top order in recent matches but Rohit Sharma and his team have found an antidote against the left-arm speedster.
Shibman Gill particularly benefited from Pakistan’s pace attack when he shared a 122-run opening stand with Rohit.
Gayle (58) hit Afridi for three boundaries in an over on two occasions, eventually throwing the bowler out of the attack after a wicketless and costly first spell.
Rohit survived an opening spell against Naseem Shah before solidifying himself, hitting four sixes in his 56 runs as boundaries continued to flow from both ends.
Spinner Shadab Khan broke the partnership when Rohit was dismissed in the deep and Afridi returned to end Gayle’s flurry to drag Pakistan back into the contest.
KL Rahul, picked after Shreyas Iyer was ruled out with a back problem, and Virat Kohli, batting on eight runs, when rain stopped play.
Rahul, who was on 17, looked comfortable in his first match since returning from a thigh injury in May.
