KANDY: India set a 267-run target before being bowled out by Pakistan here on Saturday.
The bowlers bring the national side back in the most awaited Asia Cup 2023 clash being played in Kandy.
Earlier, Pakistan regained momentum as the pacers gave three consecutive blows to the arch-rivals.
After Pakistani pacers dismissed four key batters early on Saturday, the Indian middle-order fought back and managed to score above 130 by the 27th over.
However, the Pakistan pacers struck again and gave three consecutive blows to the Men in Green. The lethal bowling spell brought the team back into the game at a crucial point.
Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf each picked three wickets, while the last two dismissals Shardul Thakur and Kuldeep Yadav came from Naseem Shah.
Earlier, much to the disappointment of cricket fans everywhere, a rain spell played spoilsport twice during the India-Pakistan match.
The star seamers of Pakistan, Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf, ripped through the Indian top-order after Rohit Sharma decided to bat first. However, Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya keep the scorecard ticking for their side.
The high-octane match promises to be a thrilling battle between the Pakistani pacers and Indian batters.
However, the fears that rain may disrupt the game materialised as the match was halted first in the fourth over, with India already having made 15 runs.
The match was interrupted, once again, when India were 51-3 during the 11th over.
However, the game was resumed soon after.
It must be noted that Pakistan began their Asia Cup 2023 campaign on a high note with a massive 238-run win over Nepal on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, this is India’s first match in the tournament.
