PAK vs BAN: Asia Cup 2023 Super-4 match brought to a halt due to floodlight failure in Lahore

The 2023 Asia Cup Super-4 match between Pakistan and Bangladesh was delayed after a floodlight stopped working at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

With Pakistan at 15 for no loss after five overs, one of the six floodlights at the Gaddafi Stadium stopped working, forcing players from both sides to walk back to the dressing rooms for a brief moment. The floodlights did not work for around 15 minutes, following which normal play was resumed.

After winning the toss, Bangladesh elected to bat first, aiming to set a challenging target for their opponents. Despite half-centuries from senior batters Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan, the team struggled to build a substantial total. Mushfiqur scored 64 off 87 balls, while Shakib contributed with 53 runs off 57 deliveries. However, the rest of the batting line-up failed to make significant contributions, resulting in a total score of 193 runs.

The Pakistani bowlers



capitalized on this opportunity, with their pace attack picking up nine of the 10 Bangladeshi wickets in Lahore.

Pacer Haris Rauf led the attack with impressive figures of 4 for 19. Naseem Shah also made his mark, picking up 3 wickets for 34 runs. The duo's performance, coupled with a wicket from Shaheen Shah Afridi, kept Bangladesh's scoring in check. Spin-bowling all-rounder Iftikhar Ahmed claimed the wicket of Shamim Hossain, finishing with one wicket while giving away 20 runs in his four overs.

Despite a 100-run partnership for the fifth wicket between Mushfiqur and Shakib, Bangladesh could not cross the 200-run mark. This was largely due to the loss of early wickets and a lack of support from the other batters.

This is the first match of the Super-4 stage. Each of Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will play three matches each in this stage, with the top-two qualifying for the final on September 17.