INDIA vs PAKISTAN: What are the possibilities if game does not resume?

Colombo (Source-Twitter)

India's openers were on fire in the Asia Cup 2023 Super Fours match between India and Pakistan on Sunday, September 10. The Shaheen Afridi danger was neutralised by Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill after the captain smashed a six in the very first over of the innings. 

Rohit Sharma dominated the Pakistan bowling attack to reach his 50th ODI half-century, who opened the innings with Shubman Gill batted impressively to put India ahead in the early overs of the match. In a stark contrast to the team's group stage match against Pakistan, Sharma looked assured and put away any bad balls bowled by the Pakistan pacers - Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah. 

After being forced to bat first at Colombo's R Premadasa Stadium, Rohit faced off left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi in the first over. Rohit was careful with his approach in the first over and Shaheen seemed confident to start the game with a maiden over. But Rohit ended the over with a six off Shaheen to open his and India's account in style.

Gill was in a good mood, blasting boundaries for fun and venturing out of his crease to take a stand against the pacers. Both scored fifty runs, although Gill did it faster than the other player, and the pair only needed 14 overs to get the team's hundred. Unfortunately for India, both Rohit and Gill were eliminated in quick succession as the powerplay came to a close because both of them became sluggish and began playing singles. 

Even the grounds men, who ordinarily anticipate the rain, were taken off guard when Virat Kohli and KL Rahul began the rescue operation before it suddenly began to pour. The puddles soon appeared, and it appeared that there might be a long delay. Although the outlook is not very promising, the supporters will nevertheless wish for the players to return as soon as possible.

A reserve day is scheduled only for the India-Pakistan game in case of rain. If the game is not resumed or is resumed but there are subsequent rain delays that result in considerable time loss, the reserve day will be used.

When does reserve day become relevant?

Even if it results in a shortened game, the match officials will make sure that the game is finished on the scheduled day. A minimum of 20 overs per side are required for the outcome. In the event that is not feasible, the game will be moved to reserve day. 

This game will follow the reserve day regulations, thus there won't be a new restart and play will pick up just where it left off. Therefore, with 24.1 overs already bowled, the second ball of the 25th over will be bowled on Monday if the game doesn't start on Sunday after this. As a result, wherever the match left off on the first date, it will pick up where it left off. In the event that the game is reduced to 40 overs, the remaining overs will only be played on the reserve day, which is Monday, September 11.