Veteran batter Virat Kohli endured a rare failure against Pakistan in India’s Asia Cup 2023 opener at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Saturday (September 2).

Kohli was cleaned up by left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi during the seventh over of India’s innings for 4 off 7 balls. The right-hander was looking to punch a delivery through the off-side but he ended up getting an inside edge that deflected and hit the stumps.

Commenting on Kohli's dismissal, former India pacer Sreesanth said he doesn't count it as a 'wicket' as Pakistan were lucky to get rid of the star batter.

"It was unfortunate for India. Pakistan were lucky to get Virat Kohli's wicket because it was an inside edge. I don't count it as a wicket. I know him personally, which is why I know what would have been going through his mind after seeing Pakistan's celebration. I am just waiting for the next India-Pakistan match," Sreesanth told Sportskeeda.

Coming to the match, rain played spoilsport as the high-octane clash ended in a no-result. The game was called off without a ball being bowled in the second innings.

Earlier, India won the toss and opted to bat first. The Men in Blue were reduced to 66/4 in the 15th over but Ishan Kishan (82 off 81) and Hardik Pandya (87 off 90) stepped up to the plate and slammed half-centuries to propel the team to a competitive 266/10 in 48.5 overs.

For Pakistan, the pace trio of Shaheen Afridi (4/35), Haris Rauf (3/58) and Naseem Shah (3/36) shared all 10 Indian wickets among them.

India and Pakistan will next face each other in the Asia Cup Super-4 stage at R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on Sunday (September 10).