The highly anticipated IND vs PAK clash in the Asia Cup 2023 faces an unexpected hurdle, but it’s not a cricketing challenge; instead, it’s the capricious Sri Lankan weather that threatens to cast a shadow over this exciting encounter. The ongoing tournament has already witnessed two matches disrupted by rain, including the much-awaited face-off between the arch-rivals. As we gear up for the epic showdown between India and Pakistan, the weather forecast for Colombo paints a bleak picture, with heavy rainfall expected to persist for the next 10 days.
Former Sri Lankan cricketer Sidath Wettimuny had foreseen these rain interruptions for the month of September. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had the option to shift the matches to drier venues in Sri Lanka, namely Hambantota and Dambulla, but BCCI Secretary Jay Shah decided to adhere to the original plan of hosting the games in Colombo.
Expressing his disappointment, Wettimuny said, “It’s unfortunate. Perhaps our rains are somewhat unusual, but historically, September tends to bring these showers. They were considering moving it to Dubai a day or two ago.”
In the Very 4 stage of the Asia Cup, six matches are slated to be played in Colombo, and the weather forecast doesn’t augur well for these upcoming encounters. This situation is far from ideal, especially with the T20 World Cup on the horizon, as teams rely on tournaments like these to fine-tune their strategies and combinations.
“Hopefully, with the World Cup approaching, teams can use this opportunity to familiarize themselves with conditions similar to India and test their combinations. This is the period they usually use for refining their gameplay. Let’s keep our fingers crossed for improving weather conditions throughout the week,” Wettimuny added.
The BCCI and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have been locked in disagreements ever since the Asia Cup schedule was unveiled. Former PCB chairman Najam Sethi was eager to host the entire tournament in Pakistan or partially in the UAE. However, Jay Shah turned down both proposals and opted for Sri Lanka as the venue.
Shah clarified his decision, stating, “Initially, all the full members, media rights holders, and in-stadia rights holders were hesitant to commit to hosting the entire competition in Pakistan. This hesitance primarily revolved around security concerns and the prevailing economic situation in the country.”
It’s important to note that the PCB underwent several changes in leadership, leading to heated debates, especially concerning crucial matters such as tax exemptions and match insurance.
The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) authorities also proposed hosting the tournament in Dambulla, a relatively dry region in Sri Lanka during September. However, BCCI rejected the Hambantota option due to logistical challenges, and Dambulla was deemed unsuitable due to a lack of adequate accommodations.
“We are delighted to host it in Sri Lanka because it attracts more tourists. With both India and Pakistan playing here, it means a significant number of fans will be visiting, which is a considerable boost to our economy, given the tough times we’ve faced,” Wettimuny mentioned.
The potential washout of the India-Pakistan clash would be a significant setback for India, as they aim to fine-tune their team combinations ahead of the World Cup. With key players like Shreyas Iyer, Jasprit Bumrah, and KL Rahul back in the fold, India is eager to assess their form. Following the Asia Cup, India is scheduled to play three One Day Internationals (ODIs) against Australia.
In conclusion, while cricket fans eagerly await the clash between India and Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2023, the unpredictable Sri Lankan weather poses a considerable threat to the smooth conduct of the tournament. The decision to stick with Colombo as the venue despite weather warnings has cast a shadow over the competition, making it more of a weather-watch than a cricket spectacle.