In light of growing concerns over adverse weather conditions in Sri Lanka, Zaka Ashraf, Chairman of PCB, has proposed the possibility of relocating the Asia Cup 2023 matches to Pakistan.
This suggestion comes after a telephone conversation between Ashraf and Jay Shah, President of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), during which they discussed the impact of rain on matches involving Pakistan and India in Sri Lanka.
The primary reason behind Ashraf’s proposal is the uncertainty surrounding the weather in Sri Lanka, prompting him to call for a comprehensive weather assessment in the coming days. As a solution, he has suggested moving the Asia Cup matches to Pakistan, with a specific mention of the Pakistan-India matches being played in Dubai if necessary.
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Additionally, there is a consideration of relocating the Super 4 stage matches of the Asia Cup, initially planned for Colombo on September 9, to alternative venues like Pallekele or Hambantota. Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has confirmed ongoing discussions with the Asian Cricket Council regarding this matter.
An anonymous SLC official stated, “A decision will be taken tomorrow or the day after,” emphasizing that Dambulla was not among the venues being considered.
Ashraf has previously emphasized the significance of the Asia Cup as a premier cricket tournament and stressed the need to prevent disruptions caused by rain. Therefore, he believes that relocating the matches to Pakistan should be seriously considered if Sri Lanka’s weather conditions continue to be unfavorable.
In response to Ashraf’s proposal, Jay Shah has assured that the situation will be thoroughly evaluated.
Notably, the Pakistan-India match in Kandy was significantly affected by rain, resulting in no conclusive outcome. Currently, the match scheduled for today between India and Nepal is also at risk of being washed out due to adverse rainy conditions. The cricketing world eagerly awaits a decision regarding the fate of the Asia Cup 2023 matches and their potential relocation to Pakistan.