Asia Cup 2023: Kamran Akmal Calls Pakistan's Decision to Not Bat After Winning Toss a Blunder

Former Pakistan cricketer Kamran Akmal took to social media to lash out at Pakistan captain Babar Azam and the team’s thinktank for opting to bowl first after winning the toss in their Super 4 clash against India of the Asia Cup at the R.Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday.

Kamran called the move a blunder, posting: “Not Batting first after winning toss in Colombo ….Is a BLUNDER".

Asia Cup 2023: India vs Pakistan Live Score

“We will bowl first. I think there is a bit of moisture, we need to use that. Always, India Pakistan is high intensity, but we will take it match to match. As a team, we are playing well, we are focused on this one. No changes," Babar had said after winning the toss.

Pakistan opted to play an unchanged side, sticking to the same eleven that had beaten Bangladesh in their first Super Four game in Lahore.

India made two changes from the side that beat Nepal in their first-round game. KL Rahul, who missed the group games is back in the side in place of Shreyas Iyer while Jasprit Bumrah, who had flown back to India and missed the Nepal game due to personal reasons, replaced Mohammad Shami.

The first-round game between India and Pakistan was washed out due to rain.

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Rain returned on Sunday too to temporarily halt proceedings, with India batting on 147/2 in 24.1 overs, with captain Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill slamming 56 and 58 respectively.

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 and Shubman put on 121 runs for the opening wicket before leg-spinner Shadab Khan and left-arm quick Shaheen Shah Afridi sent them back.

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To avoid a washout of the India-Pakistan Super Four match, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) on Friday added a reserve day for Sunday’s match, which had a heavy rain forecast.

(With inputs from Agencies)