The Super Four Clash between India and Pakistan Delayed Due to Rain
India and Pakistan were unable to continue their match due to rain and a wet outfield, with India at 147/2 in 24.1 overs. The game will resume on September 11 as a full 50-overs-a-side fixture. However, the weather forecast predicts further interruptions and a stop-start evening in Colombo.
For the first two hours of play, the weather in Colombo was hot and sweltering as Pakistan chose to bowl. Shaheen Afridi struggled with his lengths, often bowling on the leg side, allowing Rohit Sharma to hit him for a six in the opening over. Naseem Shah, on the other hand, troubled the Indian captain with his exceptional lengths and movement off the pitch. Although Rohit was beaten several times, he managed to survive.
Shubman Gill displayed confidence in his footwork, taking on both Shaheen and Naseem during their impressive opening spell. Gill had some luck when he chased a delivery from Naseem that moved away from him, nicking it between Iftikhar Ahmed and Agha Salman at slip, neither of whom attempted to catch it. Gill batted outside his crease against Afridi and played shots down the ground, reaching a quick fifty off 37 balls. Rohit also found his rhythm after a slow start and took advantage of Shadab Khan's loose deliveries, hitting his third six to reach a fifty off 42 balls.
Just when it seemed like India's opening partnership would cause more trouble, both batsmen were dismissed unexpectedly. Rohit, who had targeted Shadab, played an inside-out shot but was caught brilliantly by Faheem Ashraf, covering a lot of ground from long-off. He departed after scoring 56 off 49 balls. In the following over, Gill fell to Afridi's slower ball, chipping it to Salman at cover, ending his innings at 58 off 52 balls.
After the dismissals, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul took a cautious approach and added 24 runs in 6.2 overs before rain interrupted the game.
Brief Scores: India 147/2 in 24.1 overs (Shubman Gill 58, Rohit Sharma 56; Shaheen Afridi 1-37) vs Pakistan
