Asia cup 2023: Rain disrupts Pakistan vs Sri Lanka clash

Colombo: Rain disrupted Pakistan versus Sri Lanka match on Thursday, as rain returned to Colombo during the crucial clash in the ongoing Asia Cup 2023. 

The match was stopped due to rain as Pakistan reached 130-5 in 27.4 overs. Matheesha Pathirana claimed two wickets as Abdullah Shafique (52), Mohammad Haris (3) and Mohammad Nawaz (12) went back to the hut.

Pakistan suffered a major blow when skipper Babar Azam was trapped by Dunith Wellalage in the 16th over after scoring 29 runs. 

Earlier in the powerplay, Pakistan lost Fakhar Zaman, who was cleaned up by Pramod Madushan after scoring four runs in 11 balls.

After a rain delay before the start of the match, Pakistan opted to bat first against Sri Lanka, which is seen as a virtual semi-final of the Asia Cup 2023. 

The toss for the match was delayed after rain started just minutes before the toss was due.

The crucial match is the fourth Pakistan clash in the tournament that is threatened by rains. Previously, all games the Green Shirts have played in the Island nation were affected by heavy showers.

Playing XI

Pakistan: Mohammad Haris, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam (capt), Mohammad Rizwan (wkt), Abdullah Shafique, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan (vice-capt), Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Wasim, Zaman Khan

Sri Lanka: Kusal Perera, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wkt), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka (capt), Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Pramod Madushan, Matheesha Pathirana