INDIA PAKISTAN CRICKET
India's Hardik Pandya (L) plays a shot during the Asia Cup 2023 one-day international (ODI) cricket match between India and Pakistan at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy on September 2, 2023. Image Credit: AFP file

COLOMBO: Rain has halted play in the blockbuster Super Four clash of the Asia Cup between India and Pakistan in the Sri Lankan capital Colombo on Sunday.

India were 147-2 in 24.1 overs after being invited to bat first in the 50-over tournament, a prelude to the ODI World Cup in India.

Virat Kohli, on eight, and returning KL Rahul, on 17, were at the crease when rain forced players off the field and the showers soon got heavy.

Skipper Rohit Sharma, who hit 56, and Shubman Gill, who made 58, put on 121 runs for the opening wicket before leg-spinner Shadab Khan and left-arm quick Shaheen Shah Afridi sent them back.

Organisers have slipped in a last-minute reserve day for the match - the only game to get the advantage in the Super Fours - after the previous group meeting between the two teams was washed out due to rain in Pallekele.