COLUMBO: The Pakistan-India match in the Asia Cup 2023 continues to grapple with rain-related setbacks. Even on the designated reserve day, scheduled for match completion following the previous day’s rain interruption, the restart initially set for 2:30 p.m. (PST) has been delayed again.
As per an update on the news website ESPNcricinfo after 2:30 p.m., “the drizzle hasn’t stopped but has reduced to a bare minimum. The ground staff is removing excess water from the covers but not taking the covers off. Hence, the 3 p.m. (Sri Lanka time) start is already delayed.”
Pakistan and India are poised to resume their Super Four stage clash in the Asia Cup in Colombo, with rain looming as a potential spoiler once more on this reserve day. The first match between these arch-rivals in the tournament was washed out, leaving Pakistan awaiting their batting opportunity. The second match on Sunday was also abandoned after just 24.1 overs of play.
However, this time, authorities had wisely prepared a contingency plan, scheduling a reserve day (today) for the Super Four clash—the only game to receive this advantage apart from the final.
When the match commences, India will resume at 147/2, where it was halted during the 24th over. Virat Kohli and KL Rahul will continue their innings.
Nonetheless, the threat of rain persisted on Monday. ESPNcricinfo shared a video showing rainfall in the Sri Lankan capital shortly before the scheduled match started, remarking, “The Colombo skies have spoken.”
According to The Weather Channel’s forecast, there was an 87 percent chance of thunderstorms at 2:30 p.m., while the match was scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. local time (2:30 p.m. PST).
The report also indicated that although storms might subside by 4 p.m., the possibility of more later in the day remained, with an 80 percent chance of thunderstorms at 7:30 p.m.
