NEW DELHI: Following the unfortunate washout of their opening Asia Cup match against Pakistan due to persistent rain, Team India faces yet another obstacle as their upcoming clash against Nepal is now under threat of being washed out, with adverse weather predictions looming over Monday's fixture.
The highly-anticipated group stage encounter between India and Pakistan had to be called off after persistent rainfall, resulting in both teams earning a solitary point each in the competition. Now, as India prepare to face Nepal in the Kandy leg of the tournament, the relentless rain in Pallekele since yesterday has raised concerns about the fate of this crucial match.
Weather forecasts for the region have not offered much solace to cricket enthusiasts, as Google Weather suggests an 80 percent chance of rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms in Pallekele, Kandy, on the scheduled day of the India-Nepal encounter.
With India currently occupying the second spot in group A, securing just one point from their washed-out match against Pakistan, they will be eager to compete and garner valuable points in their upcoming fixture. Pakistan lead the group table with three points.
1/10:Asia Cup: India, Pakistan blockbuster ends in no result
AFP
2/10:India vs Pakistan
<p>Rain forced a no result in the blockbuster Asia Cup clash between India and Pakistan after just one innings of play on Saturday. </p>AP
3/10:Shaheen Shah Afridi
<p>Pakistan bowled out India for 266 in 48.5 overs with Shaheen Shah Afridi taking 4-35, but no further play was possible due to persistent rain in Pallekele. </p>AFP
4/10:India won the toss
<p>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 Afridi. </p>AP
5/10:Wrecker-in-chief
<p>Afridi rattled the opposition top order, taking the key wickets of skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli -- both the batsmen bowled. </p>AP
6/10:Rohit Sharma
<p>Rohit swung Afridi for a couple of fours, but the pacer had his revenge on the first ball following a 33-minute stoppage to bowl the Indian captain for 11. </p>AP
7/10:Ripper!
<p>Afridi bowled to Rohit on a length around the off and the ball nipped back in to beat the opener's defence and rattled the off stump. </p>AP
8/10:Virat Kohli
<p>Afridi then silenced the largely Indian crowd with the wicket of Kohli (4), who inside-edged an incoming delivery onto his stumps. </p>AFP
9/10:Pak pacers
<p>Afridi got able support from fellow quicks Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah, both of whom picked up three wickets each. </p>Getty Images
10/10:Haris Rauf
<p>Haris Rauf dismissed the returning Shreyas Iyer as India slipped to 48-3 and soon lost opener Shubman Gill for 10 after a second rain interval. </p>Getty ImagesIn their incomplete match against Pakistan, India managed to post a score of 266 in 48.5 overs. The partnership between Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya, contributing 138 runs off 140 balls, laid the foundation for India's total. Unfortunately, the rain prevented India from showcasing their bowling prowess, robbing fans of what could have been a thrilling match.
(With inputs from ANI)
