Photograph: ICC/X
Talented Ishan Kishan along with Hardik Pandya pulled the Indian team out of a tough situation with their record fifth wicket partnership against Pakistan during their Asia Cup encounter in Pallekele . But rain played spoilsport as a result Pakistan could not get the chance to chase the India target.
Opting to bat first in their high-voltage Asia Cup opener, the Rohit Sharma-led side found themselves in early trouble as Shaheen Shah Afridi removed Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli cheaply. The first stoppage due to rain came when India were 15 for no loss. A second spell of rain halted play when India were struggling at 51/3 in 11.2 overs.
With the Men in Blue reduced to 66/4 in 15 overs, Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya stitched together a record stand. The duo of Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya frustrated the Pakistan bowlers to put up a fifth wicket partnership 138 from 141.
The partnership ended with Kishan falling after a solid 82 off 81. The young-wicketkeeper batter, who rose to the occasion with an important knock, struck nine fours and two sixes.
No play was possible after India were bowled out 266 in 48.5 overs. As result match was called off. Thus ending the hyped matchon damp note.
Photograph: ICC/X
For Pakistan Shaheen Afridi was the stand out bowler , picking up 4/35 in 10 overs, while fellow pacers Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf took three wickets apiece.
The third batter to be dismissed was Shreyas Iyer (14) who pulled a shot ball from pacer Rauf straight to the fielder at midwicket.
Rauf had dismissed the struggling Shubman Gill, who failed to get a grip of the conditions and managed just 10 from 32 balls.
