Rivals India and Pakistan faced each other in an Asia Cup Group A clash on Saturday at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy.
Batting first, India were bowled out for 266 runs as Shaheen Afridi picked up four wickets including dismissing Indian captain Rohit Sharma and star Indian batter Virat Kohli early into the innings.
India at one point were struggling at 66 for four when Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya stepped up. Kishan scored 82 of 81 balls before getting while Pandya hit 87 of 90 balls. Riding on their partnership, India managed to go past 250 runs.
Former Pakistan captain and opener Mohammed Hafeez had predicted before the game that Shaheen Afridi will dismiss Rohit Sharma and young opener Shubman Gill's technique will be tested by the Pakistan bowling attack.
Pakistan never got a chance to bat in the second innings due to torrential downpours in Kandy and the match was eventually called off.
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What did Mohammed Hafeez predict for India vs Pakistan?
Hafeez posted two videos on social where he said,
Shaheen Afridi will definitely dismiss Rohit Sharma and the ball will swing inside.
He also added,
Shubman Gill's technique will be exposed today. Be ready.
Predictions b4 match #PAKvIND #AsiaCup23 @TenPakistan #Straightdrive pic.twitter.com/PUecu0HYLT
— Mohammad Hafeez (@MHafeez22) September 2, 2023
Just like he predicted, India lost four early wickets, including that of Shubman Gill who struggled throughout as Hafeez predicted. The Gujarat Titans opener scored only 10 runs off 32 balls where he looked very scratchy. He was also beaten repeatedly by Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah before Haris Rauf got the better of him.
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What next for the Indian cricket team?
Rohit Sharma's men will be next seen in action on Monday against Nepal in their final group game.
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