The much-hyped India vs. Pakistan match has ended with no result in the Asia Cup 2023. Both the teams went after each other at Pallekele on September 02, but rain played the spoilsport after Team India’s first inning. Even the rain interrupted two times during the Indian inning. Although we didn’t get the result of a match, there are still some talking points, positives, things to look for, and much more. So today, in this article, we will review India vs Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2023. So let’s start.
India vs. Pakistan 1st round ended without a result
Whenever an India vs. Pakistan game happens, there is a lot of hype around the fans and the media in both countries. Fans were so excited to see the two Asian giants clash in the Asia Cup 2023. But as expected, the rain has the last laugh.
The rain was expected before the match
Before the match, rain was expected in the India vs Pakistan match at Pallekele. But the fans were hopeful that they might at least see a shortened game, and we will have the result. But as per the weather forecast, rain didn’t allow us to have a result in the match.
India puts 266 on the board
After winning the toss, Team India decided to bat first despite knowing the weather conditions. The reason behind that was the pitch was a bit tricky and on the slower side.
Shaheen Afridi got the two big fish
Shaheen Shah Afridi is always a talking point in the Indian team’s dressing room. His ability to pick wickets with the new ball always puts pressure on the opposition.
The same thing happened in this game as Shaheen Shah Afridi got both the big wickets of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli inside the 7 overs.
Haris Rauf joins the party
Haris Rauf came in as one change bowler. He went for a few runs early on. But he took the wickets of Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill in that spell. India was on the back foot inside the 15 overs.
Ishan Kishan & Hardik Pandya’s partnership steadied Team India’s ship
There were some doubts over Ishan Kishan playing in the middle order. But he proved his mettle and Hardik Pandya also complimented him well. Both batters respected the Pakistani pacers and decided to take an attacking option against Pakistani spinners.
The pair added 138 runs for the 5th wicket. Haris Rauf breaks the partnership by getting Ishan Kishan in the 38th over. Ishan scored 82 runs while Pandya also scored 87 before Shaheen deceived him with his slower ball.
India crumbled after that partnership
Pandya and Ishan’s partnership was the only real partnership in India’s inning. They lost quick wickets after that and bowled out for 266.
After that, it kept raining at Pallekele. In the end, the match has been called off.
Talking points:-
Middle-order performing – a big positive for Team India
Although India’s top order failed to make a mark, their middle order, and particularly Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya showed their class in the first game of the Asia Cup 2023. There were some concerns regarding India’s middle order. But they recovered Team India from 66 for 4 and gave them a chance to put 266 on the board.
Ishan proved his selection
If KL Rahul had been fit, Ishan Kishan could have not played this India vs Pakistan clash. But as an old saying, ‘one man’s loss is another man’s opportunity.
Ishan has done well in the top order (opening). And the team would be worried about how he performs in the middle order. But Ishan does well and that too when the team badly needed it.
Pandya also shows his worth
Pandya wasn’t scoring as consistently as we used to see him for a while. But when the tough situation came, he stepped up for the team.
Things to look for Team India going ahead in the Asia Cup 2023
One thing Team India has to look at is their top-order failure against the left-arm pacers. So many left-arm pacers from different teams have troubled Team India over the years. Whether it is Shaheen Shah Afridi, M Starc, T Boult, etc.
They will look to solve this problem before they again meet Pakistan.
Positive for Pakistan
Pakistani pacers performed as per the expectations
As we saw in the recent past, Pakistani pacers do what was expected from them. All three pacers, Shaheen, Haris, and Naseem took wickets in the match. They restricted India to 266 after Shaheen and Rauf went hard against the Indian batters with the new ball. Naseem and Shaheen also do well in the death overs to restrict India to a lower total.
Things to look for Pakistan team
Pakistan spinners have to look after their bowling plans and executions going ahead in the Asia Cup 2023. They are not as effective as their pacers.
Conclusion
So these are a few talking points as we review the India vs Pakistan game. India will play a must-win game against Nepal on September 04.
Thank you for reading the article. Keep following us for the latest updates.
