For both matches with a reserve day, attempts will be taken to finish the game on the original day...
Digital Desk: A rain threat looms over the India-Pakistan encounter on Sunday as well, with a 90% chance of precipitation.
On September 10, an extra day has been added to the Asia Cup Super Four game between India and Pakistan. Aside from the final, it is the only match with a reserve day. PCB acknowledged the change in playing circumstances, asking fans to keep their tickets in case a reserve day is required.
Both matches with a reserve day shall be attempted to be completed on the original day, even if it means shortening the tournament. If the reserve day is triggered, the contest duration will be the same as it was on the last ball of day one.
When the two teams originally met in this Asia Cup, rain forced a washout in Pallekele. Rain resumed in India's first international encounter against Nepal at the same location, although it wasn't as persistent on the day, allowing India to complete a 23-over chase, which they won to qualify for the Super Four.
Furthermore, Bangladesh coach Chandika Hathurusinghe was not pleased with the late decision to add a reserve day for only the India-Pakistan match in the Super Four stage.
Chandika Hathurusinghe during a press conference stated, "I haven't seen this kind of thing in another tournament, this changing rules in the middle of the tournament, I am sure there is a technical committee that has representations from every participating country. They must have decided for some other reason. Yes, it is not ideal. We would love to have an extra day also. I don't have much to comment because they have made a decision."
Sri Lanka coach Chris Silverwood had also shown astonishment at the decision as well.
With rain anticipated in Colombo for the following week, the PCB, the tournament's official hosts, agreed to shift the Colombo matches to Hambantota.
However, the ACC eventually released an email to stakeholders indicating that the matches would be played in Colombo as originally scheduled.
The PCB was not so happy, but shortly consented to the decision, but not before challenging the decision-making process in a letter to ACC president Jay Shah. During these talks, the PCB first suggested adding a reserve day for this game, concerned about the consequences of a second India-Pakistan game being rained out in a tournament in which they are nominally the hosts.
If the weather cooperates, India's bowling mainstay Jasprit Bumrah might return to action after missing the Nepal match due to the birth of his child.
The 2023 Asia Cup has advanced to the second round, with Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan reaching the Super-4 stage. Each team will compete in a round-robin format, with the top two teams meeting in the final on September 17 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
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