Inclement weather played spoilsport as the high-octane India versus Pakistan clash in the Asia Cup 2023 ended in a no-result in Pallekele on Saturday (September 2).

The match was called off without a ball being bowled in the second innings due to incessant drizzle. As a result, the arch-rivals shared one point each and Pakistan progressed to the Super-4 stage from Group A on account of their thumping 238-run victory over Nepal in the Asia Cup opener.

Now, the Men in Blue will have to beat Nepal in their last group fixture in Pallekele on Monday (September 4) to make it to the next round.

After the game was abandoned due to rain, former PCB chief Najam Sethi hit out at the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), saying excuses were made to accommodate Sri Lanka as a venue for the Asia Cup 2023.

“How disappointing! Rain mars the greatest contest in cricket. But this was forecast. As PCB Chair, I urged the ACC to play in UAE but poor excuses were made to accommodate Sri Lanka. Too hot in Dubai, they said. But it was as hot when the Asia Cup was played there last time in Sep 2022 or when IPL was played there in April 2014 and Sep 2020. Politics over sport. Unforgivable!” Sethi wrote on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter).

Notably, Sri Lanka was not supposed to host the Asia Cup 2023. It was a last-minute decision as the Asian Cricket Council had no choice but to opt for a hybrid model after BCCI refused to send its team to Pakistan, the designated host for the tournament.

As per the hybrid model, Pakistan will stage four games of the continental tournament while rest of the fixtures including all of India’s matches and the final will be held in Sri Lanka.