India-Pakistan Asia Cup match to resume today. What reserve day rules say

After rains disrupted play in the blockbuster Super Four clash of the Asia Cup between India and Pakistan in the Sri Lankan capital Colombo on Sunday, umpires decided to activate the reserve day provisions. India were 147-2 in 24.1 overs after being invited to bat first in the 50-over tournament. 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.

This means Virat Kohli and KL Rahul will return to bat tomorrow, looking to build on their 24-run partnership.

Skipper Rohit Sharma, who hit 56, and Shubman Gill, who made 58, put on 121 runs for the opening wicket before leg-spinner Shadab Khan and left-arm quick Shaheen Shah Afridi sent them back.


Earlier Asia Cup organisers had slipped in a last-minute reserve day for the match - the only game to get the advantage in the Super Fours - after the previous group meeting between the two teams was washed out due to rain in Pallekele.

Here are the reserve day rules:
If playing conditions permit, umpires will first try to have a minimum 20-over-a-side game today itself (on the original match day), before activating the reserve day

If 20 overs in both innings is not completed today, the reserve day provision will be activated.

The match on the reserve day will be a continuation of the match played on the original day. It will not be a restart.

Ticket-holders have been advised to hold on to their match tickets which will remain valid and will be utilised for the reserve day. Earlier, the Asia Cup final only had the reserve day, but the India and Pakistan match has been given an exception. After against Pakistan, India's next scheduled match in the Super Four stage is versus Sri Lanka on September 12.

Former Indian cricketer Venkatesh Prasad criticised Asian Cricket Council (ACC) for having a reserve day only for the match between India and Pakistan in the Super four stage of the Asia Cup 2023.

"The organisers have made a mockery and it is unethical to have a tournament with rules being different for the other two teams. In the name of justice, will only be fair if it is abandoned the first day, may it rain harder on the second day and these malicious plans not succeed," he said in a post on X.


(With Agency Inputs)