Asia Cup: Another start-stop on cards, India set to qualify for Super Four in case

 With Colombo, the venue for the Super 4 stages, also witnessing heavy rain over the last 72 hours, discussions are underway in the Asian Cricket Council to look at other cities as Plan B.

The weather forecast for Monday’s Asia Cup fixture between India and Nepal continues to look glim with 65 percent chances of rain predicted for the afternoon. According to AccuWeather, there is a strong chance of rain till 5 PM, which means like the previous match between India and Pakistan it could be another start-stop day.

With Colombo, the venue for the Super 4 stages, also witnessing heavy rain over the last 72 hours, discussions are underway in the Asian Cricket Council to look at other cities as Plan B. While Dambulla, which is situated in the dry zone, was seen as a safer option, it is understood that floodlight works are underway and hence it has been ruled out of hosting the Super 4.

The other options are to keep the tournament going in Pallekele itself or take it to Hambantota. With regards to the latter, it is understood that logistics could be a huge challenge as there are four teams and the broadcast crew. The indications are that the organisers are set to consult with the local met department officials about the forecast for the next two weeks.

If the forecast is promising for Colombo then the tournament will go ahead as per schedule, else the ACC will name an alternate venue on Tuesday. With this being a delayed monsoon, it has been raining heavily along the west coast of the Island and in the hill country side.

With India vs Pakistan game being washed out on Saturday, former PCB Chairman Najam Sethi criticised the ACC for hosting the event in Sri Lanka instead of the UAE. With BCCI, SLC and Bangladesh Cricket Board not favour of playing in the gulf region citing extreme heat conditions, Sri Lanka was chosen as the second venue for a tournament being played in a hybrid model. Pakistan are hosting two matches.