Asia Cup 2023

Even though Bangladesh's pacers caused the majority of the damage, the surface appeared to be slow, making it challenging to play the spinners. The well-positioned Nissanka and Kusal Mendis (50) were removed by Soriful Islam in consecutive overs, Taskin Ahmed, and, Hasan Mahmud, who also contributed with three wickets each. 

Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have met 16 times in the Asia Cup out of which, 13 are won by Sri Lanka whereas Bangladesh has managed to win only 3. The second match of the Super 4 stage is going on in Colombo, between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, Bangladesh after winning the toss elected to bowl first.

"We will field first, no particular reason, there could be some rain around. We have one extra bowler and we will bowl first. It's a must-win game but we need to get our basics right. I think it might be a little different to Pakistan so we need to adjust very well,” said Shakib Al Hasan.

The first match between India and Pakistan was abandoned due to rain and the probability of another heavy spell of rain during their clash on Sunday prompted the organisers to add a reserve day on Monday. This decision by ACC sparked some controversy, as the other Super four matches haven't been given the same privilege. 

Afridi emerged as the stand-out bowler for Pakistan by taking 4-35 in skittling India for 266 in the Asia Cup Group A match at Pallekele last week. Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar spoke on how the Indian top order should prepare themselves to face Afridi in the upcoming highly-anticipated clash.

The pacer had gone back home after India’s league match against Pakistan at Pallekele due to the birth of his son Angad. It meant that Bumrah missed India’s second league match against Nepal, which they eventually won by 10 wickets in what was another rain-curtailed clash.

"If adverse weather suspends play during the Pak vs India game, the match will continue on 11th September 2023 from the point it was suspended. In such an eventuality, ticket-holders are advised to hold on to their match tickets which will remain valid and will be utilised for the reserve day,” said an official statement from the tournament.

A dear friend and one of Sri Lanka’s foremost former cricketers, Sidath Wettimuny, brought this out very significantly in our conversation today. How right he is, as cricket is as much a mind game as a physical one. One can have the best of skills, technique and fitness; however, the mental frame of mind is what matters in the end.

India’s batting in the Asia Cup has been a mixed bag. They were reduced to 47/4 before Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya stepped up in a pressure situation to stitch an important 138-run partnership and take India to 266 in an abandoned game against Pakistan.

After Haris Rauf picked a fiery four-wicket haul in leading Pakistan bowling out Bangladesh for just 193, Imam survived a testing opening spell to make 78, his fifth ODI fifty in last eight innings. On the other hand, Rizwan finished unbeaten on 63 not out for Pakistan to pick two points and sit quickly on top of Super Four stage.