NEW DELHI: The blockbuster Asia Cup 2023 encounter between arch-rivals India and Pakistan ended in a frustrating no-result due to persistent rain, resulting in the match being abandoned after just one innings of play on Saturday.
With this washout on Saturday, both Pakistan and India earned one point each in the tournament standings.
Pakistan, who had earlier secured a resounding victory against minnows Nepal in their opening encounter, now boasts a total of three points, firmly securing their spot in the Super Fours of the mega tournament.
On the other hand, India, who have one point to their tally, will take on Nepal in their second and final Group A match in Pallekele on Saturday.
1/10:Asia Cup: India, Pakistan blockbuster ends in no result
AFP
2/10:India vs Pakistan
<p>Rain forced a no result in the blockbuster Asia Cup clash between India and Pakistan after just one innings of play on Saturday. </p>AP
3/10:Shaheen Shah Afridi
<p>Pakistan bowled out India for 266 in 48.5 overs with Shaheen Shah Afridi taking 4-35, but no further play was possible due to persistent rain in Pallekele. </p>AFP
4/10:India won the toss
<p>India elected to bat in their opening match of the tournament but slipped to 66-4 after a devastating opening spell by left-arm quick Afridi. </p>AP
5/10:Wrecker-in-chief
<p>Afridi rattled the opposition top order, taking the key wickets of skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli -- both the batsmen bowled. </p>AP
6/10:Rohit Sharma
<p>Rohit swung Afridi for a couple of fours, but the pacer had his revenge on the first ball following a 33-minute stoppage to bowl the Indian captain for 11. </p>AP
7/10:Ripper!
<p>Afridi bowled to Rohit on a length around the off and the ball nipped back in to beat the opener's defence and rattled the off stump. </p>AP
8/10:Virat Kohli
<p>Afridi then silenced the largely Indian crowd with the wicket of Kohli (4), who inside-edged an incoming delivery onto his stumps. </p>AFP
9/10:Pak pacers
<p>Afridi got able support from fellow quicks Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah, both of whom picked up three wickets each. </p>Getty Images
10/10:Haris Rauf
<p>Haris Rauf dismissed the returning Shreyas Iyer as India slipped to 48-3 and soon lost opener Shubman Gill for 10 after a second rain interval. </p>Getty ImagesThe equation for India vs Nepal match to qualify for the Super Fours is straightforward - win the match and qualify for the Super Fours.
If India, the clear favorites, emerge victorious, they will advance to the Super Fours.
On the other hand, if Nepal manage to pull off an unexpected upset against the seven-time Asia Cup champions (six ODI titles and one T20I title), Nepal will progress to the Super Fours.
Given that the match will be played in Pallekele, where rain had disrupted the India vs Pakistan clash on Saturday, weather conditions might also impact the India vs Nepal encounter.
In case of another washout, India, already having one point to their credit, will receive an additional point, ultimately totaling two points, and thereby securing a spot in the Super Fours.
India won the Asia Cup titles in 1984, 1988, 1990–91, 1995, 2010, 2016 and 2018.
