India-Pakistan tie moves to reserve day after play was called off on Sunday

COLOMBO: The Super Four match between India and Pakistan has moved to reserve day after play was called off on Sunday due to rain at the R Premadasa Stadium here.

Before the match, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) had added a reserve day for the clash as the weather bureau had predicted heavy rains on Sunday. Now as things stand, the reserve day will be in play, implying the game will restart on Monday with India resuming their 50-over innings from 147/2 in 24.1 overs at 3pm local time.

The match began under a sunny sky, with captain Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill slamming 56 and 58 respectively, before falling in quick succession. Just as K.L. Rahul and Virat Kohli were building their 24-run partnership, rain started and put the proceedings on hold at 4:53 pm.

From 6:22 pm, the reduction in overs began as the match continued to be halted for various reasons.

A ground inspection was scheduled for 7:30pm before a second inspection was scheduled for 8pm due to the damp patches at the long-on, point and square leg needing more work.

The ground staff used sponges, and sawdust to dry the wet patches and brought a combination made of three fans mounted on a wheeled frame to remove moisture from the patches. With the cut-off for the start of a 20-overs chase being 10:36pm, another inspection was scheduled at 8:30pm.

With the best-case scenario being a 34-over if the match started at 9pm, rain returned to spoil those plans, forcing the covers to come back. The umpires then decided that the 50-over game would be played on reserve day.

It means that India will be playing on three consecutive days, with their next game against Sri Lanka on September 12. Persistent rain had prevented a result when the two teams played in the league stage match in Pallekele on September 2.

Brief scores: India 147/2 in 24.1 overs (Shubman Gill 58, Rohit Sharma 56; Shaheen Shah Afridi 1-37, Shadab Khan 1-45). IANS

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