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India defeated Pakistan by 228 runs inthe third Super Four match of the 2023 Asia Cup.
India scored 356 runs whilst batting first.
Virat Kohli scored his 47th ODI hundred and became the fastest player to get to 13000 ODI runs.
KL Rahul, too, notched up a ton in what is his comeback game for India.
With the ball, Kuldeep Yadav wreaked havoc, picking up five wickets.
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Ahead of the first ball being bowled today, in the 2023 Asia Cup Super Four tie between India and Pakistan, the Indian cricket fanatics might be engulfed in déjà vu – and not of the pleasing kind.
The last time India found themselves playing on the reserve day of an ODI fixture, they succumbed to an agonising semi-final defeat against New Zealand, at the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup.
Banking on their half-centuries, India are 147/2 after 24.1 overs in this fixture. Virat Kohli and KL Rahul are currently at the crease, on what has so far been a sunny day in Colombo, albeit after incessant overnight rain.
Covers are still on and we might have a delayed start!
A little milestone before the play gets underway: Virat Kohli is just 90 runs away from registering 13000 ODI runs.
It has stopped raining in Colombo and the Lankan ground staff are at it yet again. They are taking the covers off. Hope the rain gods show some mercy today!
When we want our players to be playing cricket, rain is playing hide & seek with us. Covers are back on as the drizzle starts again and Pakistan players can be seen sitting on the sidelines anticipating the start.
We don't want this to happen but a little reminder that a 20-over Pakistan chase can start as late as 10.36pm local.
Master blaster is hopeful and so are we!
While the game is yet to start, here's what ICC Men’s ODI Team Rankings look like:
The umpires had a chat with Rahul Dravid and a few Pakistan players. Now an inspection will take place at 4:20 pm.
Inspection is underway and he have some good news from Colombo as both teams' players are out in the middle, they are warming up. We will start the game at 4:40 without losing any overs.
As per the broadcasters, Haris Rauf will not be bowling today as a precautionary measure.
He (Haris Rauf) started feeling his oblique muscle last night. He had a scan and it revealed some inflammation. With the World Cup round the corner, it is precautionary and we'll have to use the other boys to fill the overs. About yesterday's bowling, I felt that we weren't on the money from the get go, and that's why we were hit for a few runs. - Morne Morkel, Pakistan Bowling Coach
After a delay of 1 hour and 40 minutes play finally resumes in Colombo. Shadab Khan will finally bowl his second delivery of the 25th over. He starts with a dot then KL Rahul takes a single on the next to bring Kohli on strike.
India 150/2 after 25 overs
We are finally halfway through India's innings and they have reached the 150-run mark. Pakistan have brought Naseem Shah into the attack and he gets off the mark for the day with brilliant deliveries. While the Indian duo would be looking to build another solid partnership, Pakistan, on the other hand would be longing for breakthroughs to disrupt their rhythm.
India 152/2 after 26 overs
Mohammad Haris has come in as a replacement for Haris Rauf.
India 155/2 after 27 overs
First boundary of the reserve day comes from Virat Kohli and on air commentators suggest Babar Azam should have slip fielders in place, Wasim Akram wants someone from outside the field to convey the message to the Pakistan skipper.
India 163/2 after 28 overs
Pakistan have burned all their reviews now. Rizwan appealed for a caught behind and convinced Babar Azam to take a review, UltraEdge shows a spike as ball passes the thigh pad and the decision came out in India's favour. Meanwhile, Iftikhar Ahmed has been introduced into the attack.
India 167/2 after 29 overs
Shaheen Afridi has been handed over the ball for this first over of the reserve day and he is welcomed by a boundary by KL Rahul on his second delivery. Right then, KL Rahul and Virat Kohli have stitched a 50-run stand together.
India 175/2 after 30 overs
KL Rahul looks too good with the bat right now, ups the ante for team India by smashing a six on the first Iftikhar delivery and slams a boundary to follow it up. This is phenomenal batting from the batter who is playing his first match after coming back from injury.
India 186/2 after 31 overs
Both Kohli and KL are taking on the Pakistan bowlers turn by turn. This is exactly what India need right now; an aggressive approach given the rain threat looming over the city of Colombo. And as I type this it's raining boundaries from KL Rahul's bat (the kind of pouring we wish for) and with that he gets to his half-century. The Indian dressing room is elated and so are the fans!
India 211/2 after 34 overs
Oh dear god! screams the on-air commentator as KL Rahul begins the Shadab Khan over with a boundary and a gorgeous maximum. He looks calm, composed and yet has announced his arrival in style. Meanwhile, the Pakistan spinner looks doomed, yesterday it was the skipper and today it's KL who is showing no mercy, he really needs to hold his nerve.
India 231/2 after 37 overs
Just like the opening duo, KL and Virat too have blossomed a solid partnership for team India. We have taken drinks break and when we return expect a half-century from Virat Kohli.
India 237/2 after 38 overs
We're back from the drinks break and Virat Kohli has notched up a half-century. Faheem has taken the ball for his eighth over and Kohli takes on him on the very first ball, hits a stunning boundary. India are comfortably treading the 300-run course. Our only hope right now is that weather gods stay in their shell and do not come out anytime soon.
India 251/2 after 40 overs
While we are hoping for the play to not be interrupted, the ground staff are ready near the boundary rope to bring back the covers on and these are not good signs. Meanwhile, Naseem Shah misread Virat Kohli's catch and the bowler, Shaheen Afridi is visibly upset, yet another fielding error by Pakistan.
India 264/2 after 42 overs
Iftikhar Ahmed is handed the ball and Virat welcomes him with a gigantic six over deep mid-wicket. Kohli smiles. WOW! Another boundary from Kohli's bat and the partnership between the two at the crease has gone past 150. This was another big over for India and they will be looking pile up as many runs as possible.
India 286/2 after 44 overs
Both KL and Virat are complimenting each other really well. They are rotating strikes, going big and doing everything to keep the scoreboard ticking. And just like that, India have reached the 300-run mark.
India 303/2 after 45 overs
Naseem Shah is back into the attack and Virat whacks him for a maximum over the long-on boundary. Both the batters are just a few runs dhort from their respective centuries and and KL Rahul notches up a ton off 100 balls, What a phenomenal comeback!!!
India 319/2 after 47 overs
Virat Kohli moves past 13000 runs in ODI and with that brings up his 47th ODI hundred. This is incredibly good for team India.
India 330/2 after 47 overs
The onslaught continues and Virat continues serving the boundaries.
India 338/2 after 49 overs
Faheem Ashraf has the ball for the final over of India's innings and the Indian batters put on display some brutal hitting on the reserve day. Virat slams a boundary on the penultimate ball of the over and the umpire signals for a NO-BALL. A gift for the centurion and he capitalises on it by scoring yet another boundary. OH DEAR GOD!!! Virat wraps up the innings in style as he dances down the ground to score a HUGE SIX! This is India's highest total against Pakistan.
India set a target 357 of runs for Pakistan
Very special for us. He (Rahul) was playing his first match after coming back from injury and to be able to score a century in these conditions was pretty magnificent. Obviously Virat Bhai also completed his century and got to 13000 runs which shows his great inspiration to all of us. The ball was doing a little bit in the initial period and they also bowled well with the new ball, but it was important for us to take them on and put the bad balls away to put the pressure back on them. I think he (Shaheen) was trying to attack the wickets and I wanted to show intent, worked for me yesterday. There's a bit of seam movement and once the ball gets older we have to mix it up with slower ones, I found it difficult when they were mixing up their length and pace. - Shubman Gill
Jasprit Bumrah will open the attack for India (feels so good to be writing this). Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq will open Pakistan's innings. Zaman is on strike.
Jasprit Bumrah starts with three dot balls on the trot before the fourth one races away for a boundary. Ishan Kishan behind the wickets makes an attempt but it the ball was too quick to be stopped.
Pakistan 5/0 after 1 over
Mohommed Siraj will share the ball with Bumrah. His second ball was given a wide and he got struck for a boundary by Iman on the third. 6 runs from the over.
Pakistan 11/0 after 2 overs
Bumrah is back for his second over, he asked Iman to take out his elbow straps and hand it over to the umpires while the batter spoke about it. 4 runs come off the over.
Pakistan 15/0 after 3 overs
An issue has come up with the landing area for Siraj. Umpires are enquiring, a little halt on the play. Meanwhile, Fakhar Zaman is yet to open his account.
Pakistan 17/0 after 4 overs
Bumrah strikes early as he removes Imam-ul-Haq, out caught by Shubman Gill at the slips. What a comeback! Meanwhile, skipper Babar Azam has come to the crease and Bumrah feels this could be another breakthrough but the umpire feels otherwise and India decide not to review. A wicked maiden over! This is some real tight bowling from Bumrah.
Pakistan 17/1 after 5 overs
After 11 balls Fakhar Zaman gets off the mark in Siraj's over. Babar, however is yet to open his account.
Pakistan 20/1 after 6 overs
KL Rahul has taken the wicketkeeping duties back. Good signs for India. Meanwhile, the pace duo has kept the batters under pressure. They are trying to break the shackles but the bowlers are too good to let that happen. After five boundary-less overs, Fakhar Zaman finally manages to steal one off Siraj's delivery while he makes a strong appeal for LBW but the umpire turns it down, India review and lose it. Babar Azam finally opens his account with a boundary on Jasprit Bumrah's ball.
Pakistan 38/1 after 9 overs
Jasprit Bumrah looks too good with the seam position here. So good so that the Pakistan skipper seems clueless. Other than the boundary, Babar is finding it hard to deal with the pace master. But he makes a comeback in Siraj's over with an absolute beauty of a shot to add four runs to his account.
Pakistan 43/1 after 10 overs
Rohit Sharma introduces Hardik Pandya into the attack as the powerplay ends and he starts off with brilliant deliveries. WOAH! He bowls out skipper Babar Azam with a peach of a delivery, right on the money! Pakistan are in grave danger now
Pakistan 43/2 after 10.4 overs
Mohammad Rizwan has come in to bat at 4 and Hardik appeals for LBW on his very first delivery to the new batter, the umpire isn't convinced. Rohit Sharma chats with Kohli and Hardik and Indian take another review. No bat involved, impact outside the line, India lose their second review but the Pakistan batters are under massive pressure. Oh no! Covers are being brought on and the players are walking back as it starts drizzling. Hoping for the action to resume soon.
Pakistan 44/2 after 11 overs
A few minutes back covers were taken off the ground, only the pitch was kept covered but now more covers are being brought on.
Inspection is being done and play will resume at 9;20 pm. We haven't lost overs which means Pakistan will go on to play for the remaining 39 overs if rain doesn't interrupt again.
After coming from the break, skipper Rohit Sharma brings Shardul Thakur into the attack and he strikes in his very first over of the game. Mohammad Rizwan walks back as he is out caught by Rahul behind the stumps! What an impactful bowling!
Pakistan 47/3 after 11 overs
Salman Agha walks in at number 5 to hold the for Pakistan. So far, the Indian pacers have been right on money, Hardik Pandya takes the ball for his second over after his first wreaked havoc on Pakistan and he finishes up with yet another brilliant over by giving just a single off of it. Meanwhile, Salman Agha steals a boundary from Shardul's second over.
Pakistan 56/3 after 14 overs
5 runs get credited to Pakistan's account as Hardik's bouncer flew away for a boundary but he continues with good length bowling. The batters look under pressure but the bowlers and the fielders are all smiles.
Pakistan 69/3 after 17 overs
Kuldeep Yadav, left-arm chinaman, comes into the attack and he almost got rid of Salman but couldn't finish the job at the slips but this is immediate impact from the spinner. He's back for his second over and has bowled out set batter Fakhar Zaman, he was looking to go for the slog sweep but got beaten and the ball crashed into the stumps. Trouble intensifies for Pakistan.
Pakistan 79/4 after 20 overs
After Zaman's departure, Iftikhar Ahmed joins Salman Agha in the middle and Kuldeep continues to trouble the batters with his variations. He's been really impressive with those of late. Oh no! Looks like Salman has gotten himself hurt. He isn't wearing a helmet and blood can be seen flowing down his cheeks. We hope everything's fine!
Pakistan 93/4 after 23 overs
Kuldeep Yadav has done it again, Salman Agha is given out LBW but Pakistan review the decision. They save the review but the batter has to depart. Phenomenal bowling this!
Pakistan 104/5 after 26 overs
Shadab Khan has come in at 7. Meanwhile, Kuldeep Yadav continues to puzzle Iftikhar Ahmed, it's like he's finding it very difficult to read the bowler. WOW! Kuldeep now traps Shadab Khan, he mistimed the shot and the ball lands well in Thakur's hand at long-on.
Pakistan 111/6 after 28 overs
New batter Faheem Ashraf Joins Iftikhar Ahmed in the middle. Sheer brilliance on display by Kuldeep Yadav as he caught & bowled Iftikhar Ahmed to complete his four-fer, Iftikhar Ahmed faces the wrath of the lethal chinaman and walks back in disappointment.
Pakistan 119/7 after 30 overs
Pakistan are now scuffling and it's only a matter of time that India bowls them out. And just like that Kuldeep takes a fifer by cleaning up Faheem Ashraf, players are shaking hands and India have defeated Pakistan by 228 runs.
Right then, we have come to the end of our live blog. We'll be back again tomorrow for another thriller between India and Sri Lanka. Till then, catch up on everything that happened in today's clash below.