The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) is contemplating over the relocation of Asia Cup matches from Colombo due to persistent wet weather conditions in the Sri Lankan capital, reports emerged on Monday.
The tournament, hosted by Pakistan and Sri Lanka, has encountered difficulties caused by rain, leading to discussions about alternative venues.
The Asia Cup is being played under a hybrid model this year after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) declined to tour Pakistan for the tournament. The highly anticipated clash between India and Pakistan in the Group ‘A’ contest was abandoned on Saturday after just one innings due to rain, disappointing cricket fans worldwide.
Colombo is scheduled to host five games in the Super Four round and the final, but heavy rainfall over the past week has raised concerns about the weather’s impact on the matches. Flooding in parts of the city, near the Khettarama Stadium, has added to these concerns.
Officials from Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have confirmed that they are exploring alternative venues within Sri Lanka with more favorable weather forecasts, according to a report by ESPNcricinfo.
The report also mentioned that discussions had resumed between the ACC and broadcasters Disney Star regarding the venue change. However, it remains unclear to what extent the tournament organizers consulted with Sri Lanka’s meteorologists regarding the weather outlook in Colombo.
If matches are moved out of Colombo, selecting an alternative venue presents its own set of challenges. Dambulla was proposed as an option, but India expressed dissatisfaction with the hotel and accommodation facilities there, while SLC officials cited ongoing work on the stadium floodlights.
Reports suggest that Pallekele and Dambulla are being considered as alternate options. The ACC is expected to make a final decision on the venue for the Super Four stage within the next 24-48 hours, taking into account the risk of rain in Pallekele as well.
News18 CricketNext reported that Dambulla and Pallekele are the frontrunners to host the Super Four stage, citing a senior BCCI official who confirmed ongoing discussions. The official expressed concerns about the weather forecast in the Colombo region.
