Asia Cup matches likely to be shifted to Hambantota as Colombo flooded
Hambantota is all set to replace Colombo as the venue for the Asia Cup Super Four matches after heavy rain flooded Sri Lanka capital, Colombo.
With Colombo's notorious weather disrupting the group stage proceedings of the Asia Cup 2023 in Sri Lanka, the business end of the continental tournament is set to be shifted.
Sri Lanka's capital was scheduled to host as many as five games of the Super Four stage at the Asia Cup. Co-hosted by Sri Lanka and Pakistan, the initial stage of the Asia Cup 2023 saw Multan, Pallekele and Lahore host the Group A and Group B games.
After Colombo witnessed heavy rains, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) started deliberating a change in venue for the Super 4 matches of the Asia Cup. As per the latest developments, Hambantota has replaced Colombo as the second venue for the Super 4 stage of the tournament. All Super Four matches of the Asia Cup will be contested in Hambantota barring the first match, which is slated to take place in Lahore.
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Two white-ball games involving Pakistan and Afghanistan were played in Hambantota on 22 and 24 August. Earlier, Colombo's R. Premadasa Stadium was tasked to host five matches of the Asia Cup in the Super Four stage. The final of the Asia Cup is also expected to take place in Colombo on 17 September.
Though September is not considered a rainy month in Colombo, the Sri Lankan capital witnessed a washout of the blockbuster clash between India and Pakistan at the Asia Cup. Points were shared between the traditional rivals after the high-voltage clash was abandoned due to rain on Saturday. On Monday, India's must-win clash with Nepal also witnessed massive delays due to rain in Pallekele.
However, India overcame long rain breaks to beat Nepal in its crucial group match at the Asia Cup on Monday. Half-centuries from Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill sealed India's 10-wicket win over Asia Cup debutants at Pallekele. With the comfortable win over Nepal, Rohit's Team India has joined arch-rivals Pakistan in the Super 4 stage of the continental tournament. India and Pakistan will meet each other for the second time in the Asia Cup 2023 on Sunday.
