Former Pakistan opener Salman Butt feels early dismissals of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli was a blessing in disguise for India in the Asia Cup clash against Pakistan at Pallekele on Saturday. Rohit was dismissed after scoring 12 whereas Kohli could only manage four runs against arch-rivals. Both of India’s most experienced batters were dismissed by Shaheen Shah Afridi, who returned with impressive figures of 4-35.

While Afridi was able to set up Rohit Sharma, Kohli chopped the ball back on his stumps. With their early dismissals, India’s middle order got a chance to show their worth. In fact, India was in a spot of bother at 66-4 when Hardik Pandya joined forces with Ishan Kishan. Pandya scored 87 whereas Kishan also played a fine knock of 82 runs to help India get past the 250-run mark.

In fact, the duo added 138 runs for the fifth wicket off 142 balls as they played with aplomb in the middle overs against Pakistan spinners – Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz.

In the past, it has been noticed that India’s top order is doing the lion’s share of the scoring in most of the matches and thus the middle order hasn’t received its chances.

“I was saying earlier that apart from 2-3 players, there’s a lack of experience when it comes to such intense pressure games (in the Indian team). The best thing that happened to India today was that their main players (Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli) were dismissed early and that their youngsters steered a comeback. They took them to a respectable total,” said Butt on his YouTube Channel.

But, the match ended in no result as rain had the final say. However, both Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya must have gained a lot of confidence after fine knocks.

India will next face Nepal at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele on Monday.