Despite not having a fantastic day at the field during India’s Asia Cup match against Pakistan, Rohit Sharma set a new record for appearances versus the nation’s arch-rivals. During the third game of the competition, Rohit’s India as well as Babar Azam’s Pakistan squared off, but the weather interrupted play following the first innings. On 11, Sharma was cheaply removed after once again losing to Shaheen Afridi.
Sharma, however, made history by being the sole Indian to play in more than eight Asia Cup iterations (across forms). Sharma is in his ninth Asia Cup (six ODIs and two T20Is) and is currently in first place, followed by Ravindra Jadeja. Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar, who had each participated in six editions of the Asia Cup, are in front of Jadeja with seven appearances.
Since participating in his debut Asia Cup match in 2008, Rohit Sharma has appeared in each subsequent edition of the continental competition. He participated in the Asia Cup tournaments in 2008, 2010, 2011/12, 2013/14, 2018, and 2023. Particularly, the opening batsman also played in the T20I Asia Cups in 2016 and 2022.
India and Pakistan share a point after the match gets abandoned
Shaheen Afridi, the standout for Pakistan, dismissed Sharma in the opening innings. In just four innings of international cricket, the left-arm bowler had already taken him out twice.
Hardik Pandya and Ishan Kishan put up a record-breaking 138-run partnership for the fifth wicket, but the Indian skipper Rohit and former captain Virat Kohli were bowled out by Shaheen. When Kishan and Hardik came together, India were in trouble at 66/4, but the duo helped the Men in Blue to post a competitive total.
In the first innings which was halted by rain, India scored 266 but lost all ten of their wickets to the Pakistan bowlers. The first innings of the game was paused twice, although the overs had not been reduced.
However, prior to the chase having a chance to begin, the rain completely ruined everything. Pakistan secured a spot in the tournament’s Super Four when the two sides shared a point each after the match was abandoned.
