Asia Cup 2023 has been severely affected by the heavy rains in the Island nation. The tournament is being hosted by Pakistan and Sri Lanka owing to a hybrid model, with Pakistan being the original host of the event.
The majority of the games were scheduled in Sri Lanka due to BCCI’s intervention in the tournament as they refused to play their games in Pakistan due to the political tension between the two neighbouring counties.
The high-octane India-Pakistan game was spoiled by the rain on Saturday, as they could not bowl a single ball in the 2nd innings of the game due to the heavy rain, and the game between India and Nepal was also interrupted by rain a couple of times. The players and fans were frustrated due to the inclement weather.
Asian Cricket Council (ACC) is looking at the option of shifting the venue for the Super 4 stages of the continental event due to the heavy rains in Colombo. Sri Lanka has been witnessing heavy rainfall in the country and it has been reported that the games might be shifted from the Island nation.
BCCI president Roger Binny and vice-president Rajeev Shukla reached Lahore, Pakistan for a two-day visit, as they are likely to watch a few Asia Cup games. It is reported that the PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf will hold talks with BCCI secretary Jay Shah regarding the potential additional matches in their home soil due to the heavy rains in Sri Lanka.
When asked by the media regarding shifting the matches from Sri Lanka to Pakistan due to heavy rains, Zaka Ashraf replied, “thinking about it”.
Pallekele and Dambulla are potentially seen as backup options for hosting the Super 4 games in the Asia Cup 2023 while the grand finale will be hosted by Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo.
With only two more matches remaining in Pakistan, the ACC is likely to take a final call on the venue after holding talks with stakeholders over the next 24 hours regarding the change in the venue.
India and Pakistan have sealed their place in the Super 4 stage after a comprehensive win over Nepal in the group stage of the tournament, with the game between the two Asian heavyweights washed out by rain.
In the other group, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have almost made their way into the Super 4 stage after having each won in the group stage, while Afghanistan will require a massive win over Sri Lanka in the final game of the tournament to boost their run-rate to get themselves into the Super-4 stage.