The Asia Cup 2023
The Asia Cup 2023, hosted in Colombo, Sri Lanka, has been marred by persistent rain interruptions, leaving cricket fans frustrated and questioning the decision-making of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC).
ACC’s Responsibility
The Sri Lanka Cricket Board has pointed fingers at the ACC, emphasizing that they did not decide to host the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka. Instead, this decision rested solely with the ACC.
Origins of Hosting Rights
Originally, Pakistan was awarded the hosting rights for all 13 matches of the Asia Cup. However, due to security concerns, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) refused to send the Indian cricket team to Pakistan. Subsequently, a compromise was reached with four matches held in Pakistan and nine in Sri Lanka, a decision that initially faced resistance from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
Choice of Colombo Over Other Cities
Sri Lanka boasts seven international stadiums across five cities, with three in Colombo and one in each of the remaining four cities. Despite Dambulla being the driest area in Sri Lanka during September, the Sri Lanka Board deemed it unsuitable due to concerns about floodlights. Galle was forecasted to receive rain, Hambantota faced logistical challenges, and Kandy and Colombo were chosen as the final venues.
Criticism from Former PCB Chief
Former PCB chief Najam Sethi expressed disappointment over scheduling the India-Pakistan match in Kandy, a city prone to rain. He suggested the Asia Cup be held in the UAE, citing the success of the IPL in 2014 and 2020. Sethi believed that political pressure on ACC influenced the decision-making process.
September Weather in Sri Lanka
September marks the return of the monsoon season in Sri Lanka, characterized by heavy rainfall. The Sri Lankan Board typically avoids scheduling matches in the country after the second week of September. Data from 2018 to 2022 reveals that only a handful of matches took place during this period, primarily concluding in the first week of September.
Venue Reluctance and Rain Warnings
After the group stage match between Afghanistan and Sri Lanka on September 5, Colombo experienced flooding. Talks of relocating matches to Hambantota, a city with a lower risk of rain, began during the group stage. However, the ACC decided to retain Colombo as the venue despite concerns about continuous heavy rain.
Conclusion
The Asia Cup 2023’s repeated disruptions due to rain and questionable venue choices have raised serious doubts about ACC’s management and decision-making process. Cricket enthusiasts hope for better planning and more suitable venues in future tournaments to avoid the frustration of interrupted matches.
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