The India vs. Pakistan Super 4s match of the ongoing Asia Cup 2023 is expected to resume on reserve day on September 11 as the fans wait with excitement to see an entire encounter between the two arch-rivals.
Earlier India was asked to bat first by Pakistan captain Babar Azam after he won the toss. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill hit sublime fifties to take India to 147/2 with Virat Kohli and KL Rahul at the crease in 24.1 overs when skies opened up, forcing their Asia Cup Super 4s match into the reserve day.
Ahead of the match proceedings, Mohammad Kaif talked about how the Indian team should go about resuming their innings. He spoke about Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s batting form.
"Overcoming challenges is one of Virat's best qualities. That has become his habit. It's a big match, and his record against Pakistan is great. Whenever he plays against Pakistan, his bat does the talking. And people have high expectations of him. People have expectations from someone who performs regularly. For newer players, as it is a big game, the expectations are not as high.
But if the senior players, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma, fail, the fans don't like it at all. There is no compromise on that; they have to perform with the bat and continue their form for the past two or three years and perform well at the World Cup also," Kaif said while speaking exclusively to Star Sports.
If the play resumes on September 11, it will mean the Indian team will have to play two more days in a row, starting with a reserve day against Pakistan on Monday and a Super 4 match against Sri Lanka on Tuesday.
Kaif urged players not to be defensive, advising them to look for the boundary even on the first ball, irrespective of whether they face Naseem Shah, Afridi, or Rauf.
"Shaheen will continue to bring the ball in, bowling his inswing. He has told himself that his game plan is straightforward, bring the ball in and fast, Whatever the batsman wants to do let him, his game plan is straightforward - bring the ball in, hit the pad, and hit the stumps. So it will be exciting to see Virat Kohli in the form he is in to take him on; it is the most key matchup of the game.
What makes Virat special is his ability to play in the big matches, and he won't play on the back foot. Naseem Shah, Afridi, or Rauf, whoever is bowling, don't play on the back foot. If you get the chance, even on the first ball, look for the boundary," Kaif added.
