Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah, who are injured, are replaced by Shahnawaz Dahani and Zaman Khan

Even though India defeated Pakistan in the Super 4 Asia Cup game in Colombo over two days, in retrospect, the World No. 1 team had more issues. Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah, two of Pakistan’s top pacers, had to leave the field due to injuries they sustained during the match. Although the degree of the injury is unknown, it is doubtful they would be risked more during the Asia Cup given the impending ODI World Cup. Zaman Khan and Shahnawaz Dahani have been recalled by Pakistan as back-ups.

This is only a preventative step with the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup starting next month in mind, as well as the players’ health and fitness.

 

The team’s medical staff will continue to keep an eye on Haris and Naseem. If Naseem or Haris are out for the following week, the team management will merely ask the ACC technical committee for a replacement.

 

India had hit a massive 356/2, their biggest total against Pakistan in ODIs, after restarting their attack at 4:40 pm on the third day after a weather delay.

 

Only three of Pakistan’s batsmen managed to score more than 20 in the chase in response, and the team struggled mightily. India’s fast bowlers put on an incredible display of seam and swing bowling while maintaining perfect line and length.

 

When Pakistan was down to only 128, Kuldeep stepped in to confuse the hitters and pick up 5/25, his second fifer in ODIs, giving India their largest margin of victory against Pakistan in terms of runs (228 runs).

 

Short scores: Pakistan 128 all out in 32 overs (Fakhar Zaman 27; Kuldeep Yadav 5-25; Shardul Thakur 1-16) were defeated by India 356/2 in 50 overs (Virat Kohli 122 not out, K.L. Rahul 111 not out, Rohit Sharma 56, Shubman Gill 58; Shadab Khan 1-71, Shaheen Shah Afridi 1-79) by 228 runs.