Last Update on: September 5th, 2023 at 04:23 pm
After previous reports of Hambantota close to being the venue for the Asia Cup 2023 Super 4s, the ACC (Asian Cricket Council) has now taken a U-turn on their decision. The PCB and the ACC are now said to be in disagreement with Hambantota being the venue for the tournament’s Super 4 phase.
Previously PCB agreed to ACC’s decision of Hambantota being the venue for the last five matches of the tournament due to bad weather in Colombo over the last few days. However, the ACC has now conflicted with its own decision and decided to continue with Colombo as the venue for the Super 4s, as per ESPNCricinfo.
Concerned by ACC’s decision, the PCB has called for an urgent meeting to resolve the problem and come to a decision. The PCB is worried that the India vs Pakistan Super 4 game in Colombo might be rained out just like the league game between the two teams was. Pakistan in the process, lost an opportunity to beat India after getting them bowled out for just 266.
PCB-ACC At Loggerheads Over Venue Decision For Super 4 Stage Of Asia Cup 2023
The PCB further said that the ACC is making decisions unilaterally about a tournament of which the PCB is the host. As per reports, the ACC sent an email to the different boards about a change of venue for the Super 4s with Hambantota confirmed. However, soon they sent out another email that contradicted the PCB saying that Colombo will continue to be the venue for the remaining games of Asia Cup 2023.
Meanwhile, a recent comment from SLC chief executive Ashley de Silva told ESPNcricinfo hinted at the fact that the Super 4 matches will be played in Colombo and that moving the matches to Hanmabtota was part of the discussion and nothing else.
“A lot of fans had already made arrangements to watch the matches in Colombo. Also in the last few days it hasn’t been raining as much in Colombo,” de Silva offered as one reason why the remaining games would be played in Colombo as scheduled.
