The highly anticipated India vs. Pakistan Asia Cup 2023 matchup at Pallekele on September 2 is in jeopardy due to a looming rain threat, raising concerns about its cancellation.
The eagerly awaited clash between India and Pakistan, steeped in historic rivalry, remains a rare spectacle due to the absence of bilateral cricketing ties between the two nations. Fans can only witness this iconic showdown during ICC events and the Asia Cup.
The Group A encounter in the 2023 Asia Cup, slated for the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, hangs in the balance, with multiple reports indicating the looming threat of rain potentially disrupting the face-off between Rohit Sharma’s squad and Babar Azam’s team. Pallekele has witnessed relentless heavy rainfall over the past two days, setting a grim stage for Saturday, September 2, as multiple weather apps predict a formidable 90 percent chance of rain.
This precarious weather situation aligns with Sri Lanka Cricket’s historical reluctance to host matches during August and September. Among Pallekele’s 33 ODIs, merely three have braved the monsoon months, underscoring the wisdom in avoiding such scheduling.
The Asian Cricket Council, prompted by the Indian government’s refusal to permit travel to Pakistan, adopted a hybrid approach for the current Asian Cup edition, with Pakistan hosting four matches and Sri Lanka stepping in to host nine—a significant departure from the norm due to the challenging climatic conditions during these months.
Despite being one of the nine fixtures allotted to Sri Lanka, the much-anticipated India vs. Pakistan Group A match faces a looming weather threat. The last encounter between these arch-rivals was in the T20 World Cup last year, memorable for Virat Kohli’s explosive 83-run innings.
In the event of a rain-marred clash, fans hope for a shortened 20-over game, or failing that, a point share. Babar’s team, having crushed Nepal by 238 runs, is poised to advance to the Super 4 stage due to a washout, while India will need a win against Nepal on September 4.
Last Updated on August 31, 2023
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