Asia Cup 2023 Super Four games likely to be moved out of Colombo due to rain - Reports

ACC to take a final call on Asia Cup 2023 venue within 24-48 hours as Colombo witnesses heavy rain.

Sri Lanka witnesses heavy spells of rain due to the delayed monsoon. Central Sri Lanka and the capital city of Colombo is witnessing heavy rain in the last few days, The Sri Lanka cricket board is thinking of changing the venue for the Super 4 round games as well as for the final on 17th September. Asia Cup’s big business game between India and Pakistan was washed out due to persistent rain at Pallekele Cricket Stadium in Kandy. Similarly, there are predictions for rain in the upcoming games as well. 

Dambulla to replace Colombo?

Sri Lanka Cricket Board is thinking of shifting the Super 4 round to Pallekele Cricket Stadium or Rangiri Dambulla Cricket Stadium in Dambulla. Sri Lanka was chosen as co-hosts along with Pakistan as India denied playing in Pakistan. Originally Pakistan was picked as the hosts of the tournament but due to a long tussle between BCCI and PCB, Sri Lanka was chosen as co-hosts. Sri Lanka got 9 matches to host in the tournament while Pakistan got 4 games in Multan and Lahore. 

So far in the two games in Sri Lanka, rain caused an interruption in the proceedings at Pallekele Cricket Stadium. SLC was earlier interested in hosting the matches at Rangiri Dambulla Cricket Stadium but broadcasters reluctance made Sri Lanka go with Pallekele and Colombo as the preferred venues for the Asia Cup 2023. Dambulla is relatively drier than other parts of central Sri Lanka. Delayed monsoon is the main reason for rains in Sri Lanka. 

The Asian Cricket Council is yet to take a call and will decide on the future course of action in the next 24-48 hours. India are set to take on Nepal on Tuesday at Pallekele with heavy thunderstorms predicted in Kandy. The final league game will be played at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Lahore will host one Super 4 game and from there, the rest of the tournament is set to be played in Sri Lanka.