Colombo, Sri Lanka – In anticipation of potential rain disruptions, organizers of the Asia Cup Super Four contest between Pakistan and India have introduced a reserve day. This precautionary measure comes after a recent washout of the Pakistan-India ODI on September 2 at Pallakele Stadium, Sri Lanka, leaving fans and players eager for a chance to see the Green and Blue Shirts in action.
During the previous encounter, the Indian team was bowled out for 266 in the 49th over, thanks to an outstanding display of pace bowling by the Pakistani side. Rain played the role of spoiler, bringing an anticlimactic end to the match.
Numerous weather forecasts have raised concerns about rain affecting the upcoming match, scheduled for Sunday, September 10. Predictions indicate a significant likelihood of rain, particularly during the match hours. In fact, AccuWeather, a US-based forecaster, reports that the probability of rain on Monday is even higher than on Sunday.
According to AccuWeather, The Weather Channel, and ESPNcricinfo, rain poses a substantial risk to the match, with forecasts showing probabilities as high as 96% on Monday and 94% on Sunday.
Remarkably, this particular match, apart from the final, is the only one in the Asia Cup to have a reserve day, highlighting the significance of the fixture.
Meanwhile, former PCB chairman Najam Sethi raised questions on social media about the decision to host Pakistan-India matches in Colombo, suggesting it might be driven by a fear of defeat. He posted weather forecasts for Colombo and Hambantota, a city in southern Sri Lanka, highlighting changes in venue decisions based on rain forecasts. Sethi’s remarks added to the intrigue surrounding this high-profile cricketing rivalry.
