India’s Asia Cup Super Four win over Pakistan was seismic. Played over two days in a rain-ravaged Colombo, the match between the fierce rivals was less of a clash and more of a punishment handed out by India to their shell-shocked neighbours.
Recent ODIs between the sides have been one-sided affairs, but this was something else. From a superb stand between openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill to a record-breaking double-century partnership between the returning KL Rahul and Virat Kohli; from Jasprit Bumrah’s unplayable opening spell to Kuldeep Yadav’s five wickets, every single shot from India hit the target.
Pakistan were left battered and bruised, literally and metaphorically. Fast bowlers Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah picked up injuries while bowling and did not bat, while batsman Agha Salman swept one straight to his face and suffered a cut below the eye.
The margin of win for India was 228 runs – a jolt to the system less than one month before the World Cup. While India have seen all their pieces fall right into place, Pakistan’s jigsaw lays scattered on the ground just when it seemed the top-ranked team was about to complete the picture.
The magnitude of the result also papered over the mess that was created leading up to the showdown at the R Premadasa Stadium.
Let’s not forget that the match would never have happened if the original schedule had been followed – Sunday was a washout.
A reserve day was added just for this India v Pakistan match after their group game was also rained off and there was pressure from stakeholders to ensure a completed match. Just think about that: a change of rules just for one match after the tournament is past the halfway mark.
Don’t let the gloss of a completed India-Pakistan match overshadow this mockery of rules. The remaining matches could still be washed out because rain has been forecast throughout the week in Colombo.
The Asian Cricket Council, with India in its driver’s seat, could have taken the advice of locals and held the tournament in drier parts of Sri Lanka, but their advice was disregarded.
The descent into chaos had started earlier in the year, though. India refused to travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup, which resulted in a standoff that only ended when Pakistan and Sri Lanka were announced as co-hosts of the Asia Cup.
That resulted in a new problem as it meant Pakistan first played at home on August 30, travelled to Sri Lanka for the washed-out India match, travelled back to Pakistan for a Super 4 match against Bangladesh, and then returned to the island for the second match against India – all in a little over 10 days.
How much did this travel affect the players ahead of the Sunday-Monday ODI?
All rules were bent before and during the tournament, making fans wonder why teams that are not India or Pakistan were even asked to bother in the first place.
All of this could have easily been avoided if the arch-rivals had simply played a bilateral series, or a tri-series to avoid political backlash in India, and let the other Asian teams prepare for the World Cup in peace. That is what the broadcasters want, right? So why put other teams through the wringer?
High ticket prices were another sticking point. Exorbitant ticket rates meant even Sri Lanka did not play in front of full stands at home.
When the dust settles, or the water drains out in this case, on the Asia Cup, we may or may not have an outright winner due to the weather. But we will have a clear loser – the fans who were taken for a ride.
It might still be a magical show, but remember the price that was paid.
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
How Apple's credit card works
The Apple Card looks different from a traditional credit card — there's no number on the front and the users' name is etched in metal. The card expands the company's digital Apple Pay services, marrying the physical card to a virtual one and integrating both with the iPhone. Its attributes include quick sign-up, elimination of most fees, strong security protections and cash back.
What does it cost?
Apple says there are no fees associated with the card. That means no late fee, no annual fee, no international fee and no over-the-limit fees. It also said it aims to have among the lowest interest rates in the industry. Users must have an iPhone to use the card, which comes at a cost. But they will earn cash back on their purchases — 3 per cent on Apple purchases, 2 per cent on those with the virtual card and 1 per cent with the physical card. Apple says it is the only card to provide those rewards in real time, so that cash earned can be used immediately.
What will the interest rate be?
The card doesn't come out until summer but Apple has said that as of March, the variable annual percentage rate on the card could be anywhere from 13.24 per cent to 24.24 per cent based on creditworthiness. That's in line with the rest of the market, according to analysts
What about security?
The physical card has no numbers so purchases are made with the embedded chip and the digital version lives in your Apple Wallet on your phone, where it's protected by fingerprints or facial recognition. That means that even if someone steals your phone, they won't be able to use the card to buy things.
Is it easy to use?
Apple says users will be able to sign up for the card in the Wallet app on their iPhone and begin using it almost immediately. It also tracks spending on the phone in a more user-friendly format, eliminating some of the gibberish that fills a traditional credit card statement. Plus it includes some budgeting tools, such as tracking spending and providing estimates of how much interest could be charged on a purchase to help people make an informed decision.
* Associated Press
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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