Even though India defeated Pakistan during their Super 4 Asia Cup contest in Colombo over two days, in retrospect, the World No. 1 team had more issues. Haris Rauf as well as Naseem Shah, two of Pakistan’s top pacers, were forced to depart the pitch due to injuries they sustained during the match.
Although the severity of the injury is unknown, it is doubtful that they would be put in further danger at the Asia Cup given the proximity of the ODI World Cup in 2023. Zaman Khan and Shahnawaz Dahani were called up by Pakistan as back-ups, and they may start their next match versus Sri Lanka on Thursday.
This is only a preventative step with the Men’s ODI World Cup 2023 starting next month in mind, as well as the players’ health and fitness. The team’s medical staff will continue to keep an eye on Haris and Naseem. If Naseem or Haris are out for the following week, the team management will merely ask the ACC technical committee for a replacement.
India vs Pakistan: As it happened on reserve day
India had hit a massive 356/2, their biggest total against Pakistan in ODIs, after restarting their attack at 4:40 pm on the reserve day following a weather delay. Only three of Pakistan’s batsmen managed to score more than 20 in the chase in response, and the team struggled mightily. India’s fast bowlers put on an incredible display of seam as well as swing bowling while maintaining perfect line and length.
When Pakistan was down to just 128, Kuldeep stepped in to confuse the hitters and pick up 5/25, his second career fifer in ODIs, giving India their largest margin of victory over Pakistan when measured in terms of runs (228 runs).
India, on the other hand, are currently playing Sri Lanka in their second game in the Super Fours of the Asia Cup 2023. A win today will more or less guarantee them a spot in the finals of the tournament, a feat which they missed out last time around.
Fans react as Pakistan add Shahnawaz Dahani and Zaman Khan to their Asia Cup 2023 squad:
Shahnawaz Dahani and Zaman Khan have been added to Pakistan's Asia Cup squad as a cover up for Naseem and Rauf. pic.twitter.com/c9GfU0U73y
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) September 12, 2023
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