Last Updated on 1 year by Charbel Coorey
Cricket News: ACC likely to shift venues of Super 4 matches of the Asia Cup | Will the Super 4 matches be moved from Colombo?
The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) is considering rescheduling Super Fours matches of the 2023 Asia Cup away from Colombo. The city has copped heavy rainfall in recent days, with more rain forecast in the coming week which can lead to washouts.
The marquee India-Pakistan clash in Kandy on Saturday delivered a no-result, and organisers may want to limit such instances.
Will the Super 4 matches and final be shifted?
However, zeroing upon an alternative venue at this point in time is a cause of concern for the tournament organisers. Dambulla has emerged as an option but the Indian team has had issues with the hotel and accommodation facilities there. Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan Cricket (SLC) officials claim that there is some work going on regarding the floodlights in the stadium, as reported by ESPNcricinfo.
On September 4, ESPNcricinfo reported that the Super 4 matches and final could be moved Hambantota. According to PCB sources, the venue has been signed off. However, organisers have had to deal with logistical issues, given high-quality hotels are at least 45 minutes away from the ground given its location is essentially in a jungle near the small town of Sooriyawewa.
Further, official broadcasters are against the idea of holding the matches across two venues. They would have to either transport the necessary equipment via road or maintain the required infrastructure at different locations in the island country.
The 2023 Asia Cup schedule has been under the scanner right from the offset. Pakistan was originally the official host of the tournament. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) insisted that India will not be traveling across the border for the matches. This resulted in the games being shifted to Sri Lanka, with teams flying back and forth between the two countries for their games.
