KANDY, Sri Lanka, Sept 2, 2023 (BSS/AFP) - Rain forced a no result in the
blockbuster Asia Cup clash between India and Pakistan after just one innings of
play on Saturday.

Pakistan bowled out India for 266 in 48.5 overs with pace spearhead Shaheen
Shah Afridi returning figures of 4-35, but no further play was possible due to
persistent rain in Pallekele.

Babar Azam's Pakistan have made the Super Four stage of the tournament as
they won their opening match of the 50-over tournament, a key event in the
build-up to the World Cup in India later this year.

The points on Saturday were shared.

Rain stopped for a short time and groundstaff took off the covers as
umpires discussed a reduced target for Pakistan but another spell of showers
brought the curtain down on the match.

India next play Asia Cup debutants Nepal in the final Group A fixture on
Tuesday at the same venue.

India elected to bat in their opening match of the tournament but slipped
to 66-4 after a devastating opening spell by left-arm quick Shaheen.

Ishan Kishan (82) and Hardik Pandya (87) hit back in a stand of 138 to hand
their team a fighting total but rain had the final say after interrupting play
for the third time.

Shaheen rattled the opposition top order, taking the key wickets of skipper
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli -- both the batsmen bowled.

Shaheen got able support from fellow quicks Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah,
both of whom picked up three wickets each.

The left-handed Kishan counter-attacked with boundaries to take the fight
back to the opposition bowlers with Pandya.

Shaheen was given a two-over burst to break the stand but the batsmen stood
firm and Kishan reached his fifty to loud cheers from the crowd and frustration
from Pakistan, whose on-ground fielding remained sloppy.

Earlier Rohit swung Shaheen for a couple of fours, but the pace spearhead
had his revenge on the first ball following a 33-minute stoppage to bowl the
Indian captain for 11.

He then silenced the largely Indian crowd with the wicket of Kohli (4), who
inside-edged an incoming delivery onto his stumps.

Rauf bowled the returning Shreyas Iyer as India slipped to 48-3 and soon
lost opener Shubman Gill for 10 after a second rain interval.

He also finally sent Kishan back with the batsman caught out after his
81-ball knock, including nine fours and two sixes.

Pandya kept up the charge and hit Rauf for three boundaries in an over, but
fell to Shaheen.

Number 10 Jasprit Bumrah made 16 before falling to Naseem as the Indian
innings ended in 48.5 overs.

Ground staff covered the field as players left for the innings break after
the return of the rain which had the final say.