Rohit Sharma defended the decision to make massive changes to the playing XI after India were beaten by Bangladesh in their final Asia Cup 2023 Super 4 match on Friday. India were already in the final of the tournament and for the inconsequential match, they decided to rest veteran players like Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammed Siraj. On the other hand, youngster Tilak Varma was handed his ODI debut while Mohammed Shami, Prasidh Krishna, Shardul Thakur and Suryakumar Yadav made their way to the side. In the aftermath of the match, Rohit said that the idea was to give some game time for the cricketers and that can be important ahead of the ICC World Cup 2023.
“We wanted to give some game time to the guys, keeping the bigger picture in mind. Not compromising on how we wanted to play this game. Get in some players who are likely to play the World Cup,” he said.
Rohit was all praise for the batting performances by Shubman Gill and Axar Patel.
PAK vs SL, Asia Cup 2023 Super 4: Sri Lanka (253/8) Beat Pakistan (252/7) By 2 Wickets Via DLS To Set Up Sunday’s Final vs India. Kusal Mendis (91), Charith Asalanka (49*), Iftikhar Ahmed (3/50)
Charith Asalanka played one of the coolest shots in ODI cricket history to score the final two runs required off the last as Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by 2 wickets in the Super 4 to reach the Asia Cup 2023 final in Colombo.
Needing 2 runs off the last ball, Asalanka walked across the stumps and flicked a full delivery from Pakistani debutant Zaman Khan to take two runs and bring an end to a thrilling contest at the R Premadasa stadium in the Sri Lankan capital on Thursday.
Sri Lanka win rain-marred contest
Chasing a rain-revised target of 252 for victory, Sri Lanka rode on the superb knocks from Kusal Mendis (91) and Asalanka, who fell short of his 10 ODI fifty by 1 run, to cross the finish line and set up the summit clash against India, which will be played at the same venue on September 17.
Sunday’s match will be Sri Lanka’s 12th appearance in the Asia Cup final while India will be playing its 10th summit clash in the tournament’s history.
The Men in Blue have won the title a record 7 times with Sri Lanka a close second with 6 trophies.
“We had the game under control, but the losing of wickets took it till the last over. We gave them a chance to come back in the game, but we knew Charith could get us home.
“We had a discussion before batting and we discussed the mistakes we made in the India game. We gave away wickets in the first 10 overs, and Kusal and Sadeera played brilliant knocks,” Lankan skipper Dasun Shanaka said after the match.
The Weather Channel reports an 86 percent likelihood of rain during the day, casting doubt over whether this crucial match will see the light of day.
The cricketing world is abuzz as Pakistan and Sri Lanka prepare to face off in the Super 4 clash of the Asia Cup 2023. This match is more than just a game; it’s a virtual semifinal, with the winner securing a coveted spot in the final against India on September 17. However, Mother Nature seems intent on playing her part in this high-stakes encounter, with ominous weather forecasts looming over Colombo.
India defeated Sri Lanka by 41 runs in a super four match to secure their place in the final of the Asia Cup on Tuesday.
India beat Sri Lanka by 41 runs on Tuesday.
Indian bowlers produced a splendid collective effort to carry their team to a 41-run win over a spirited Sri Lanka in a Super 4 match, and into the Asia Cup final on Tuesday. Rohit Sharma’s fifty (53 off 48 balls) was the cornerstone of India’s sub-par 213 after Lankan spinners Dunith Wellalage (5/40) and Charith Asalanka (4/18) bamboozled them. But India, guided by Kuldeep Yadav’s 4 for 43, bowled out Sri Lanka for 172. India, who entered the final with four points, will either face Sri Lanka or Pakistan in the summit clash on Sunday. The hosts will face Pakistan in a crunch match on Thursday.
The insipid effort of their batsmen made it mandatory for the Indian bowlers to be on the money from ball one, and Jasprit Bumrah led the way.
Bumrah took the ball away from Pathum Nissanka and the healthy edge was snaffled behind the wicket by a diving KL Rahul.
Kusal Mendis looked in fine touch but he failed to keep his drive off a slow, full delivery from Bumrah down.
Substitute fielder Suryakumar Yadav took the catch at covers and umpires gave Mendis out after a quick check with the TV umpire for bump ball.
Mohammed Siraj soon got into act, cramping Dimuth Karunaratne for room and his cut did not go beyond Shubman Gill at second slip.
Sri Lanka were 25 for 3 at that stage and Kuldeep took a couple of quick wickets to further dent their chase, reducing them to 99 for six.
However, Wellalage (42 not out) and Dhananjaya de Silva (41 off 66 balls) added 63 runs for an enterprising seventh wicket alliance to revive Lankan hopes.
But a moment of indiscretion ended the stand as De Silva tried to clear the infield off Jadeja only to give a simple catch to Gill at the edge of the circle.
From that point, Wellalage, who batted exceptionally well under pressure against a fancied opponent, tried to bridge the gap.
But the task was a tad too hard to achieve with a one man show.
Earlier, left-arm spinner Wellalage and offie Asalanka did not allow Indian batters to settle into any sort of rhythm, as they knifed through their line-up taking nine wickets among them.
But before Lankan spinners exploited the generous turn and grip on the Premadasa pitch, India started their innings in a blazing fashion.
Rohit added 80 runs for the opening wicket with Gill, and that remained the brightest phase of Indian innings.
Watching Rohit and Gill adding those runs in just 12 overs rekindled the memories of India’s blitz against Pakistan on Monday, when they posted a massive 356 for two.
During his innings, the Indian captain also went past a significant personal milestone, becoming the sixth Indian batsmen to score 10000 runs in ODIs.
The landmark came in a befitting fashion too, as Rohit lifted pacer Kasun Rajita over his head for a majestic six.
Other Indian batsmen to reach the mark are: Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni. Indeed, a magnificent company to be in! However, the introduction of Wellalage changed the whole complexion of the game, as the spinner halted Indian batsmen’s early charge.
Chasing a mammoth 357 for victory, Pakistan were restricted to 128 for 8 with their last players batters not coming out to bat due to injuries as India won by 228 runs.
In a Super Four match of the Asia Cup marred by rain, India achieved its most significant margin of victory ever against its arch-rivals, Pakistan, winning by a staggering 228 runs.
India delivered an imposing performance, amassing a formidable total of 356 for 2. Virat Kohli (122 not out off 94 balls) and KL Rahul (111 not out off 106 balls) both notched centuries, with Rahul making a stylish comeback to international cricket.
Pakistan, led by Babar Azam, faced a daunting task during their chase and managed only 128 for 8 as Kuldeep Yadav’s sensational bowling spell (5/25) dismantled their batting lineup.
Virat Kohli’s century in this match marked his 47th in ODIs, leaving him just two centuries shy of Sachin Tendulkar’s remarkable record of 49.
Record-Breaking Partnership
Kohli and Rahul formed an unbeaten third-wicket partnership, setting a new record for the highest ODI partnership between India and Pakistan, accumulating a total of 233 runs.
During his innings, Kohli achieved several personal milestones, becoming the fastest batsman to reach 13,000 ODI runs and securing his fourth century at the R Premadasa Stadium, a feat previously achieved only by Hashim Amla.
Many Pakistani fans on social media questioned how officials of the PCB could be so “immature” and “careless” as to indulge in gambling.
Pakistan cricket board officials are under scrutiny for visiting a casino in Colombo
Pakistan team’s current media manager Umar Farooq Kalson and board’s GM (International Cricket) Adnan Ali are under scanner after pictures and video footages emerged of the duo visiting a Colombo casino.
Both are in Colombo in official capacity as a part of the Pakistani contingent for the ongoing Asia Cup and visiting a gambling den is sure to attract attention of ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit as it is one of the prohibited places as per code of conduct.
Many Pakistani fans on social media questioned how officials of the PCB could be so “immature” and “careless” as to indulge in gambling.
Many criticised the trend of many PCB officials going on to Colombo during the Asia Cup on official visits.
A PCB source said that at least 15-20 PCB officials had travelled o and fro between Colombo and Lahore while some were stationed there permanently as Pakistan was the official host of the Asia Cup.
After some Pakistani news channels ran headlines, the two officials in the Casino later clarified that they had only gone to the Casino to have dinner, a claim ridiculed by all and sundry on social media and also by some former test players.
IND vs NEP, Asia Cup 2023: India (147/0) Beat Nepal (230) By 10 Wickets (Via DLS) To Reach Super Fours. Rohit Sharma (74*), Shubhman Gill (67*), Ravindra Jadeja (3/40).
BCCI
In a remarkable display of cricket prowess, India secured a coveted spot in the Asia Cup Super Four by crushing Nepal with a resounding 10-wicket victory.
Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill emerged as the stars of the match, crafting unbeaten fifties to ensure India’s triumph.
Despite facing frequent rain interruptions, Nepal managed to post a commendable total of 230 after being asked to bat first. The match’s challenging conditions made it all the more impressive.
India, facing a revised target of 145 runs from 23 overs due to the DLS calculations, comfortably achieved victory thanks to Rohit Sharma (74 not out off 59 balls) and Shubman Gill (67 not out off 62 balls). Their powerful performance was instrumental in India’s success.
With this victory, India concluded their Group A matches with three points, securing their place in the Super Four. Pakistan had already secured a spot in the Super Four with three points as well.
#TeamIndia coast to a thumping victory and storm into the Super 4s! 💥
The openers remain undefeated, ensuring 🇮🇳 win without any hiccups.
Nepal’s pacers, KC Karan and Sompal Kami, displayed excellent pace, initially causing trouble for Indian openers Rohit and Gill.
Nepal had its moments in the match, both with the ball and bat, but ultimately bowed out of the Asia Cup without earning any points.
Bowling Challenges for India
While India’s victory was significant, their bowling performance against Nepal left room for improvement. The Indian bowlers struggled against Nepal, who were expected to be an easier opponent. Fielding was also a concern, with several dropped catches and misfields.
Nepal’s Aasif Sheikh (58 off 97 balls), Kushal Bhurtel (38 off 25 balls), and Sompal Kami (48 off 55 balls) provided a tough challenge to the Indian attack.
Despite being bundled out for just 104 by Pakistan in their previous match, Nepal showed their resilience and determination in this encounter.
Nepal got off to a flying start, reaching 65 for 1 in the first 10 overs, with Kushal Bhurtel playing a pivotal role. However, India would rue the missed opportunities as they gave Bhurtel two reprieves early in his innings.
India pacer Jasprit Bumrah has returned home from Sri Lanka for personal reasons and will be missing the clash against Nepal on Monday, September 4.
Jasprit Bumrah hit his career-best 16 against Pakistan in India’s Asia Cup 2023 opener (AP Photo)
India pacer Jasprit Bumrah has returned home for personal reasons, and will be back for the Asia Cup in a few days.
This means that Bumrah will be missing the clash against Nepal on September 4, Monday, and will be back in time for the Super 4s clash.
According to sources, Jasprit Bumrah and Sanjana Ganesan are expecting the birth of their first child.
Bumrah, a key player in the Indian cricket team, made a significant comeback to international cricket after a long hiatus due to a back injury. His return was eagerly anticipated, given his reputation for delivering under pressure and his unique bowling style. Bumrah’s journey back to the field was marked by careful management of his workload during rehabilitation, with a focus on preparing him for the World Cup.
Bumrah’s return to the field was first tested in a series against Ireland, where he demonstrated his readiness by taking two wickets in his first over. Despite having extended his run-up slightly and bowling within his limits, Bumrah’s performance held out hope for his return to white ball cricket.
Asia Cup 2023, Points Table
The Indian pacer, who captained the side during the tour of Ireland, picked up four wickets in the two matches. This would open the door for him to be back in contention for the Asia Cup squad.
In the Asia Cup 2023, Bumrah’s performance was noteworthy. In the match against Pakistan, he did not get a chance to bowl but contributed significantly with his batting, scoring a valuable 16 runs off just 14 balls. This performance was particularly impressive given that Bumrah is primarily known for his bowling rather than his batting skills. However, for personal reasons, he was set to miss India’s group stage game against Nepal.
Asia Cup 2023 Highlights, IND vs PAK: While Pakistan remain on top of Group A, India opened their account in the tally after points were shared.
IND vs PAK Highlights Score, Asia Cup 2023: Pakistan’s and India’s players great each others after the Asia Cup cricket match between India and Pakistan was called off due to rain in Pallekele, Sri Lanka on Saturday, Sep. 2. AP/PTI(
India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2023 Highlights: With the entire second innings yet to be played, rain led to the India-Pakistan Asia Cup group stage game being called off in Pallekele on Saturday. Ishan Kishan (82) and Hardik Pandya (87) bailed India to 266 after Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf created havoc in the early stages. Afridi was the pick of the bowlers for Pakistan with a 4-fer while Rauf and Naseem Shah nabbed three wickets each in a first-ever instance of pacers picking all 10 wickets in an Asia Cup game. Earlier, India captain Rohit Sharma had won the toss and opted to bat first in their tournament opener.
Pitch Report by Ravi Shastri
This pitch has more grass than the previous one, the pitch that was used during Pakistan vs Nepal. This track looks slow and bounce can be on the lower side. The ball might grip early on, you might see spin. A score of 260-270 can be challenging on this wicket.
Playing XIs
India Playing XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan (wk), Hardik Pandya (vc), Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
Pakistan Playing XI: Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Iftikhar Ahmed, Agha Salman, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf
Sadeera Samarawickrama and Charith Asalanka made resolute fifties after Matheesha Pathirana’s hostile bowling as Sri Lanka slayed Bangladesh by five wickets in their Asia Cup opener in Pallekele on Thursday.
Sri Lanka started their 2023 Asia Cup campaign with a win on Thursday.
Sadeera Samarawickrama and Charith Asalanka made resolute fifties after Matheesha Pathirana’s hostile bowling as Sri Lanka slayed Bangladesh by five wickets in their Asia Cup opener in Pallekele on Thursday. Pacer Pathirana’s 4 for 32 restricted Bangladesh to 164. The home side then rode on Samarawickrama’s 54 off 77 balls and Asalanka’s unbeaten 62 off 92 balls to overhaul the target in 39 overs. Samarawickrama is going through a career rejuvenation this year after fading from the scene.
He earned a recall to the Lanka Test side after five years against Ireland this July, and he also made a return to their ODI unit after a gap of four years during the home series against Afghanistan in June.
Samarawickrama made his Test return count with a hundred in the second match against Ireland. On Thursday, his fifty was the cornerstone of Lanka’s crucial win over Bangladesh.
But Lanka had to overcome a few uncomfortable moments before that.
Bangladesh bowlers had reduced Sri Lanka to 43 for three in 9.2 overs, dragging their side back into the match after their batsmen’s shoddy effort.
In Lankan cricketing circles, Samarawickrama has always been known as a stylish batsman.
Even on a slowing down pitch, the right-hander produced some sparkling shots using a wafer-thin bat and supple wrists.
His ability to find gaps around the field was visible when he drove pacer Shoriful Islam through covers with disdain for four, and later flicked left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan through mid-wicket for a boundary.
Samarawickrama had an equally composed partner in Asalanka as they produced 78 crucial runs for the fourth wicket.
The left-handed Asalanka, who has been in fine fettle this year in ODIs, was never hesitant to take the odd risks for a boundary, and it helped Samarawickrama to bat assuredly at the other end.
But off-spinner Mahedi Hasan snapped the partnership.
Hasan had Samarawickrama stumped by Mushfiqur Rahim with a tossed-up delivery that beat the batter.
Bangladesh did get a couple of quick wickets, but they just did not have enough runs on the board to defend.
For that, Sri Lanka should thank their bowlers who worked around a resilient fifty by Najmul Shanto, who made 89 off 122 balls with seven fours.
However, other batsmen did not pick up any hint from Shanto as Pathirana and spinner Maheesh Theekshana (2/19) combined to strike at regular intervals after Bangladesh opted to bat first.
