Asia Cup 2023: Super 4s likely to be moved out of Colombo due to heavy rain

Heavy rain in Colombo may force Super 4s to be rescheduled. Asian Cricket Council considering alternate venues Dambulla/Hambantota. Logistical nightmare for teams, broadcasters, fans. India-Pakistan game on Sept 10 may be 2nd successive match not played in front of full house. Exorbitant ticket prices have caused locals to turn away from Asia Cup. Grass bank ticket prices hiked 80x usual rate. Inflation issues have resulted in near-empty stadiums.

Heavy rain in Colombo may result in the Super 4s being rescheduled. The Asian Cricket Council is understood to have been contemplating Dambulla or Hambantota as the alternate venue.

The Hindu understands that with parts of Colombo being flooded and the R. Premadasa Stadium having drainage issues, the tournament broadcaster has requested for a change in venue.

After the damp squib between India and Pakistan on Saturday, the broadcaster and the Asian Cricket Council don’t want to take any chances of any further abandonments.

Considering the logistical nightmare — including accommodation for four teams and broadcasters, let alone fans — a final decision on the issue will be taken by Tuesday.

Should the next stage be moved out of Colombo, the India-Pakistan game on September 10 will be the second successive game between the two that will not be played in front of a full house.

Inclement weather notwithstanding, a well-below capacity turnout could not be missed when the two teams squared off at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

Exorbitant ticket prices have resulted in the locals turning their back on the Asia Cup, at least so far, this time around. The Pakistan Cricket Board has been forced to host the tournament in Pakistan and Sri Lanka, with India declining to travel to Pakistan.