Live Coverage: Super 4 Showdown – Pakistan vs India in Asia Cup 2023
welcome to our coverage of the Asia Cup Super 4 showdown between long-standing rivals Pakistan and India in the Sri Lankan capital, Colombo.
These two teams are resuming their rivalry after their initial group-stage encounter was washed out.
Pakistan is fielding the same squad that secured a seven-wicket victory against Bangladesh in their first Super 4 match. India is set to welcome back Jasprit Bumrah, who had briefly returned to India for the birth of his child, with either Mohammed Shami or Shardul Thakur expected to step aside.
Given concerns about potential rain, a backup day has been scheduled for Monday. However, as of now, the weather in Colombo on Sunday has been favorable, and the match is still scheduled to kick off at 3 pm local time (09:30 GMT) at the R Premadasa Stadium.
9.6.
Naseem Shah bowls to Rohit, no run. It’s a good length delivery but wide outside off, and Rohit leaves it alone. India survives the powerplay!!
9.5
Naseem Shah delivers to Rohit, no run. The ball comes at 143 clicks, full and nips in. Rohit blocks it to mid-on.
9.4
Naseem Shah sends a delivery to Rohit, FOUR. Take that!! It’s a back of a length delivery on off, and there’s nothing wrong with the delivery. Rohit stays in his crease and executes a frontfoot pull over mid-wicket for another boundary.
9.3
Naseem Shah bowls to Rohit, FOUR. Finally, Rohit gets some runs!! It’s a bit too full and straight, allowing Rohit to flick it nonchalantly over mid-wicket for a boundary. That should boost his confidence.
9.2
Naseem Shah delivers to Rohit, no run. It’s fuller and wobbles outside off, beating Rohit on the outside edge.
9.1
Naseem Shah sends a short and wide delivery to Rohit, who attempts to cut but ends up hitting it into the pitch. Another over of Naseem vs. Rohit.
8.6.
Faheem Ashraf bowls to Shubman Gill, no run. It’s a good-length delivery outside off, and Gill leans in to punch it towards the fielder at point.
8.5
Faheem Ashraf delivers to Shubman Gill, 2 runs. The ball comes at 130 clicks, back of length on off, Gill stands tall, waits, and then punches it square of the wicket for a couple of runs.
8.4
Faheem Ashraf sends a delivery to Shubman Gill, no run. It’s a length ball that nips onto off stump, and Gill blocks it towards point.
8.3
Faheem Ashraf bowls to Shubman Gill, no run. It’s a full delivery that nips in, driven down the ground, and it hits the non-striker’s stumps. Rohit was safely back though.
Mustafa Moudi: Rohit Sharma has scored all his 10 runs through boundaries – one four and one six, which means he has faced 22 dot balls without rotating the strike. It’s not a great way to bat in ODIs. He needs to work on rotating the strike!
8.2
Faheem Ashraf delivers to Shubman Gill, FOUR. A cracking shot!! It’s a short and wide delivery, and Gill realizes that Faheem Ashraf doesn’t have the pace of the other bowlers. He cuts it hard off the backfoot, beating the dive of Shadab at point to pick up another boundary.
8.1
Faheem Ashraf bowls to Shubman Gill, no run. It’s short outside off, and Gill cuts it into the ground towards the fielder at point.
7.6
Naseem Shah bowls to Shubman Gill, 1 run. Gill edges it wide of the slip fielders this time.
7.5.
Naseem Shah delivers to Shubman Gill, no run. It’s a fuller delivery on off stump, and Gill defends it confidently.
7.4
Naseem Shah bowls to Shubman Gill, no run. It’s a back-of-length delivery, coming in straight, and Gill defends it calmly.
7.3
Naseem Shah sends a delivery to Shubman Gill, FOUR. Gill edges it but it’s safe! The ball was short and wide, Gill goes for the slash and gets an edge that flies between the two slip fielders. The first slip, Iftikhar, didn’t even react, and Naseem doesn’t seem pleased.
7.2
Naseem Shah bowls to Shubman Gill, no run. It’s a good length delivery that swings away, but it loses its pace by the time it reaches the keeper. Gill opts not to play a shot.
7.1
Naseem Shah delivers to Shubman Gill, FOUR. It’s a short and wide delivery, and Gill cuts it to the left of the point fielder for a boundary. Gill seems to be taking on Naseem Shah as well now.
6.6
Faheem Ashraf bowls to Rohit, no run. It’s a back-of-length delivery angling in towards the off-stump, and Rohit defends it to the right of the bowler.
6.5
Faheem Ashraf delivers to Shubman Gill, 1 run. He goes back of length and sends it wide. Gill punches it to the right of point for a quick single.
6.4.
Faheem Ashraf bowls to Shubman Gill, no run. The delivery is on a good length, landing on off-stump, and it slows down a bit upon reaching Gill. He has to wait before defending it towards point.
6.3
Faheem Ashraf sends a delivery to Shubman Gill, no run. It’s slightly fuller and wide outside off, prompting Gill to lean closer and push it towards point.
6.2
Faheem Ashraf bowls to Shubman Gill, no run. Another delivery that moves back in towards the middle and leg, and Gill tucks it towards square leg.
6.1
Faheem Ashraf delivers to Shubman Gill, no run. He begins with a length ball outside off that sharply nips back in off the pitch. Gill defends it solidly.
5.6.
Naseem Shah bowls to Rohit, no run. The speedometer reads 143 clicks.
Rizwan engages in a conversation with the bowler.
5.5
Naseem Shah delivers to Rohit, no run. It’s a back-of-length delivery outside off, maintaining its line, and it rises sharply. Rizwan collects it above his head.
5.4
Naseem Shah sends a delivery to Rohit, no run. Another exceptional outswinger, this time it begins as a back-of-length delivery and eludes Rohit Sharma’s outside edge.
The Indian captain appears to be growing a bit impatient…
5.3
Naseem Shah bowls to Rohit, no run. The speed reads 143 clicks. It’s a short and wide delivery, exhibiting some uneven bounce as it sneaks beneath Rohit Sharma’s attempted pull shot.
5.2
Naseem Shah delivers to Rohit, no run. An outstanding outswinger! It’s full and swings past Rohit, who had committed to the drive outside off. There is considerable movement after the ball leaves the bat, prompting a muted appeal for a caught-behind.
5.1
Naseem Shah bowls to Rohit, no run. It’s a back-of-length delivery moving outside off, and Rohit chooses to leave it alone.
4.6
Shaheen Afridi bowls to Shubman Gill, FOUR! It’s another one! Shubman is going on the offensive against Shaheen. The delivery is full and wide.
4.5
Shaheen Afridi delivers to Shubman Gill, FOUR! A glorious shot! Shaheen changes his angle, coming around the wicket, but he overpitches one on off-stump. Shubman Gill connects perfectly, delivering a beautiful cover drive that finds the gap and races for four runs.
4.4.
Shaheen Afridi sends a delivery to Shubman Gill, no run. It’s a full and wide delivery, nudged towards mid-off by Gill.
4.3
Shaheen Afridi bowls to Shubman Gill, no run. An excellent response from Shaheen, with a length ball that swings back in late. It goes over the stumps as Gill chooses to let it go.
4.2
Shaheen Afridi delivers to Shubman Gill, FOUR! Take that! Gill confidently strides down the pitch to face a bowler who effortlessly reaches 140 clicks. He loftily drives the ball over mid-on for a boundary, displaying remarkable confidence.
4.1
Shaheen Afridi bowls to Shubman Gill, no run. The delivery is slightly shorter and angles onto off-stump. Gill tries to cut but inside edges the ball onto his pads.
4.1
Shaheen Afridi sends a wide delivery. It’s a good-length delivery that swings down the leg side.
3.5
Naseem Shah bowls to Rohit, wide delivery, full and drifting too wide outside off. It’s the first extra run of the game.
3.4
Naseem Shah delivers to Rohit, no run. It’s a good-length delivery that moves away from outside the off-stump, and Rohit chooses to let it go.
3.3
Naseem Shah sends a delivery to Rohit, no run. It’s a back-of-length delivery on the off-stump. Rohit adjusts his position and then directs his defensive shot towards point.
3.2
Naseem Shah bowls to Rohit, no run. This time it’s an away-swinging delivery, a beautifully pitched length ball that starts on off and then swings away at a good pace. Rohit is left baffled.
3.1
Naseem Shah delivers to Rohit, no run. An excellent decision by Rohit to leave this length ball, which sharply nips in. It just clears the stumps, showcasing Rohit’s good judgment..
0.4
Shaheen Afridi delivers to Rohit, no run scored.
0.3.
Shaheen Afridi bowls to Rohit, no run. The ball is slightly shorter and angles away outside the off-stump. Rohit refrains from playing a shot.
0.2
Shaheen Afridi sends a delivery to Rohit, no run. Shaheen attempts a surprise yorker on off-stump, but Rohit is prepared and defends it.
0.1
Shaheen Afridi bowls to Rohit, no run. The speedometer reads 143 clicks as the ball is full and swings slightly inwards, brushing the pads and going towards square leg.
Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill take their positions at the crease. Rohit takes the strike. Shaheen Afridi is tasked with opening the bowling.
Shaheen takes the new ball, with a slip in position and a short mid-wicket fielder for potential catches. Rohit is the batsman on strike. Let the game begin!
With the national anthems concluded, we are only moments away from the cricket action. Let’s hope for another thrilling contest!”
Match About to Commence Shortly
Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill have been chosen as India’s opening pair to face off against arch-rivals Pakistan. Shaheen Shah Afridi will be tasked with delivering the first over. The weather in Colombo is both hot and humid, with a touch of cloud cover.”
National Anthems Await
Both teams are now entering the field for the rendition of their national anthems.
India had the opportunity to bat first, as Pakistan chose to field after winning the toss.
Get comfortable, unwind, and savour the upcoming spectacle – it’s cricket’s grandest rivalry.”
The Anticipation of an India-Pakistan Clash Outshines Rain Concerns
Punit Jain and Sanjay Kumar arrived in Colombo from India late last night, eager to witness India’s top-order batsmen taking on Pakistan’s formidable pace attack.
“We had some reservations due to the weather forecast, but the sheer intensity of an India-Pakistan clash has seemingly dispelled any rain concerns,” Jain remarked.
“The showdown between India’s batters and Pakistan’s pace bowlers is an event not to be missed, which is why we made the journey,” he added.
“Have you noticed how the rain predictions have shifted from morning to late afternoon and now evening? I can confidently say that we’ll witness a full match, and India will emerge victorious,” the self-assured Indian fan asserted.
“Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will counter Pakistan’s bowling threat and set a substantial total,” Kumar predicted, envisioning a closely contested match between the neighboring teams.
With Pakistan choosing to bowl first, the eagerly awaited moment is near when we will discover if India’s top-order batsmen can withstand Shaheen Shah Afridi’s opening spell.”
Pakistan Win Toss and Choose to Field Pakistan has won the toss
and Babar Azam has decided to put India in to bat first in Colombo. Rohit Sharma mentioned that India had plans to bat first as well, making it a favorable situation for both captains.
Babar stated, “There appears to be some moisture in the pitch, and we want to make use of that. While India vs. Pakistan is always a high-intensity clash, we are taking it one match at a time. As a team, we are in good form, and our focus is on this game.”
Rohit added, “There will be a challenge early on, but our recent batting performances have given us confidence. Every match is crucial for us, and we’re taking it step by step. This is the nature of the sport, and it has provided us with ample preparation time. Now, we aim to perform well.
Pitch Analysis
Waqar Younis, the former Pakistan captain turned broadcaster, offers his insights, stating, “The pitch received watering yesterday, and the groundsmen have rolled it in. It’s certainly greener compared to yesterday’s match between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. The presence of moisture beneath the grass should provide something for the bowlers.”
Senaratana and his wife have made a 25-kilometer journey from a location just south of Colombo to establish a cricket merchandise booth outside the R Premadasa stadium in anticipation of the Asia Cup.
“We’ve lost track of how many India and Pakistan shirts we’ve sold so far, it’s been significantly more than Sri Lankan shirts,” he shared with Al Jazeera from his stall, located just a few feet from the stadium entrance.
Latha, Senaratana’s wife, chimed in, stating, “The sales of Indian shirts have surpassed all the other teams combined.”
Suggesting the likelihood of both teams facing off in the final next Sunday, Senaratana added, “If there happens to be another India-Pakistan match, we might end up earning more than what we typically make in an entire month at our shop.”
1 Hour Ago (08:09 GMT): Pakistan Sticks with Winning XI
Pakistan has decided to stick with the same lineup that secured their Super 4 victory over Bangladesh. The unchanged XI for Pakistan includes:.
Babar Azam (Captain)
Shadab Khan (Vice-Captain)
Imam-ul-Haq
Fakhar Zaman
Salman Agha
Iftikhar Ahmed
Mohammad Rizwan (Wicketkeeper)
Faheem Ashraf
Naseem Shah
Shaheen Shah Afridi
Haris Rauf
1 Hour Ago (08:07 GMT): Australia Reclaims Top Spot in ICC Rankings
Australia has reclaimed the coveted top spot in the ICC one-day international rankings, taking it back from Pakistan. This shift occurred after Australia’s impressive victory over South Africa, winning by 123 runs on Saturday. The latest ICC rankings now stand as follows:
Australia: 121 points (1st place)
Pakistan: 120 points (2nd place)
India: 114 points (3rd place)
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