Akhtar criticized the decision made by Pakistan’s captain to bowl first, as Indian openers Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma established a formidable opening partnership of 121 runs in under 17 overs. Both openers reached their fifties during the partnership, with Rohit Sharma achieving his 50th ODI fifty and Gill scoring his eighth.
Indian skipper Rohit Sharma displayed dominance against Pakistan spinner Shadab Khan, while Gill hit six boundaries off Shaheen Afridi’s first three overs. Shadab Khan finally dismissed Rohit Sharma in the 17th over, breaking the opening partnership. Shaheen Afridi quickly followed by dismissing Shubman Gill in the very next over. With Virat Kohli (8) and KL Rahul (17) at the crease, India added another 24 runs off 38 balls before rain intervened in the 25th over, suspending play.
Shoaib Akhtar, on his official X handle (formerly Twitter), commented on the rain interruption, suggesting that rain had come to Pakistan’s rescue after India’s strong start.
Well. I don't see this starting again. Colombo ki baarish is crazy pic.twitter.com/KiY8Mbzl77
— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) September 10, 2023
“Well, I don’t see this starting again. Colombo’s rain is crazy,” Akhtar wrote on X while sharing a video of himself.
“I don’t see the game starting again,” Shoaib Akhtar stated in the video. He expressed hope that the match could conclude and resume the following day. He also questioned the decision to choose to bowl first.
“I came to watch the match, and we are all waiting, Indian and Pakistani fans. Rain saved us, rain saved India the other day, but today rain saved us,” Akhtar remarked.
Also Read: IND vs PAK Asia Cup 2023: Virat Kohli Commends Rohit Sharma for Outstanding Half-century against Pakistan
The India-Pakistan game is scheduled for a reserve day on Monday (September 11). If the match is rained out on Sunday, it will continue on Monday from the point it left off. Nevertheless, the umpires are eager to complete the match on Sunday itself, even if a 20-overs-per-side game can be played.