Match Details

IND vs PAK, 9th ODI, Asia Cup 2023 summary

PAK

128-10(32.0)

India won by 228 runs 🏆

IND

(50.0)356-2

Match info

Summary

Scorecard

Commentary

That marks the end of this colossal clash. India drubbed Pakistan by 228 runs in the Super Four stages and rose to the top of the points table. They will need to secure a win against Sri Lanka to cement their position for the Finals now. Plenty of areas to look after for the Pakistan side. They have a lot of injuries to deal with too. Also, A huge shoutout to the groundsmen in Colombo for helping us get treated to this scintillating clash.

So, this is your guy, Arijit Kundu, and along with co-commentator, AkshayaKrishna Polya and scorer/analyst, Zeeshan Naiyer, We sign off from a tiring yet astounding game between India and Pakistan that occurred a period of two days. Adios!!

Virat Kohli (POTM): "I was about to ask you to keep the interview short, obviously, I am very tired. I am always ready to contribute to the team in different ways.

Today, KL Rahul got to a good start and my job was to rotate the strike. I take a lot of pride in pushing for easy runs, you know, pushing for a double is easy for me rather to go for a big shot.

Because, I had crossed the 100 already, there was a bit of respect for that shot (the one Virat played cheekily opening the face of the bat at the last moment in the third man direction). Usually, you don't see me playing those shots and it looks bad, very bad when I play those. Both KL and me are conventional stroke players, we don't really try to be fancy but we do get a lot of runs via our traditional cricketing shots. It was a good partnership and definitely a good sign for Indian cricket. Not only in this tournament but also with World Cup coming up. Very happy for him (KL Rahul) and it was great to see him hitting the form straightaway.

I was pushing for runs, I am very happy for that but at one stage, I was thinking that I have a game tomorrow at 3 PM. Luckily, we are Test players, I personally have crossed 100 Tests and so I know how to come back and play again on the next day. It was hot out there, coming November I would be 35 and hence I need to take care of my body. I know, I will be recovering and playing again tomorrow (chuckles).

And yeah, a loud shout out to all the groundsmen for the work they have put in to make this game possible. They did a fantastic job."

Player of the Match: Virat Kohli

Rohit Sharma (India Captain): "We are happy to get some game time. Lot of guys did not have game time and that was great support from the groundsman as well. From the word go, they were right on the money. I know how difficult it was to come and do the job, do it the next day. We would like to thank them as a team.

It was important to get some game time. It was more possible due to these guys who have put in the effort.

He was in a fantastic performance right from yesterday. Usually does not happen. Obviously, we had to adjust. With these two experienced batters, we expected, they would get their time in, their eye in. Great effort from Virat and KL.

You know he has worked really really hard. I know how hard it is, for someone who goes through an injury and then coming back. Bumrah is just 27 now. For him to come and bowl shows what Bumrah is all about. Good to see him bowl that way, hopefully, he can do that more.

How the openers batted, then Virat and KL. We know it was a typical Kohli innings. Last minute change. Does not know where he is going to play. Five minutes before the toss, we had to say that he is playing. That shows the mindset of the player."

Maximum Sixes Award: Rohit Sharma (4 Sixes)

Catch of the Match: Kuldeep Yadav

11:12 PM IST and Local Time: Now, let us move to the post-match presentations...

Babar Azam (Pakistan Captain): "Of course, the weather is not in our hands. We were not upto the mark with the ball and bat. Yes, they (Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill) planned very well on our bowlers and attacked our bowlers. They batted well and then KL Rahul and Virat Kohli finished off very well.

Jaspirt and Siraj bowled very well with the new ball and it was tough for our batters to get away as they swung the ball both ways. We couldn't stick partnerships together as we lost back-to-back wickets."

Kuldeep Yadav: "100%, I mean I am very happy with my performance. From the last year and past, I have worked really hard and bowling really well. I feel that I am in a good rhythm as well. Just kept bowling good lengths and got my wickets.

I was not trying to get the fifth wicket after gotten to 4th wicket. Just happened. It is amazing whenever you get the five-fer. I always keep the plan ready and you need to be prepared playing against top sides.

I had played against them (Pakistan) in 2019. I know most of the guys, how they play spin and accordingly worked on my variations. 100%, I am working on my length, I just kept bowling wicket-to-wicket and increase my chances if they slog sweep, sweep and reverse sweep. Thank you very much."

Earlier, Indian openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill had a strong start yesterday after being given the opportunity to bat first, accumulating 121 runs for the first wicket. Gill was playing well the entire time, and Rohit teed off after a cautious beginning. The pair reached their respective fifties in quick time. Rohit whacked Shadab for plenty of runs, smacking around the park but the leg spinner ended up getting the last laugh.

The very next over saw Gill fall to Shaheen Shah Afridi, bringing Pakistan back into the match.

The rain interrupted play as Virat Kohli and KL Rahul were trying to get their eyes in, sending the match to the reserve day with India at 147/2 after 24.1 overs.

India picked up where they left off on day two of this game after a downpour caused a delay of more than 90 minutes previous to the restart.

Prior to the restart, Pakistan had been impacted by Haris Rauf's injury. Virat and Rahul made their alliance clear by complementing each other well. KL produced beautiful strokes on either side of the wicket and it appeared as though he never left the team. Virat demonstrated his fitness and his desire for each and every run throughout an unbroken 233-run third-wicket partnership, which included plenty of strokes and running between the wickets.

The heart of Bangalore (Virat Kohli) and the pride of Mangalore (KL Rahul) went on to garner respective tons in the end. Virat scored 122 runs off 94 balls while hitting 9 fours and 3 sixes while Rahul scored 111 runs off 106 balls, hitting 12 fours and 2 sixes. The innings also saw King Kohli surpass the 13000 run mark.