Reports: Five Super 4 fixtures of Asia Cup 2023 to be played in Hambantota after Colombo's rain continues to play spoilsport

After plenty of games being called off in the ongoing Asia Cup 2023, the Asian Cricket Council is finally mulling over shifting the venue for the Super 4s round of the marquee event from Colombo. Notably, due to incessant rains, teams are finding it hard to get a deserving result. Moreover, this has led to disappointment among fans who travel long distances to see their favourite cricket stars play in front of them.

Hence, as per the Indian Express that at least five games of the Super Four round which was supposed to be played at the R. Premadasa Stadium, in Colombo, will now be played at the new venue which falls under a drier part of Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, speaking of the new developments, the probable new venue is the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, at Hambantota, in Sri Lanka. As these games will be vital to determine the teams for the knockout stage of the tournament, the ACC and the Sri Lankan board thought to have a backup plan where important games do not get washed out. Therefore, Hambantota will play a crucial role in deciding the fate of the Asia Cup matches in the times ahead to come.

Now, speaking of the co-hosts, Pakistan, there will be no changes in other Super 4 fixtures which are to be played in Pakistan. Notably, the game will be played at the Multan stadium in Lahore. Meanwhile, the grand final is supposed to be contested in Colombo. But with the weather playing possums, the venue for the final is likely to get a shift. However, any official decision on this matter is yet to be discussed and taken by the ACC.

After India-Pakistan game washout, threat looms on completion of India-Nepal clash

Speaking of the ongoing Asia Cup group stage game between India and Nepal, the rains in Colombo have yet again interrupted the flow of the game. As a result, after several stoppages while India were bowling against Nepal and then came out to chase 231 runs given as a target, the rhythm of the Indian openers in skipper Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill has got disturbed yet again.

Consequently, Team India now have been allotted a revised target. As per the latest DLS method calculations. the Men in Blue now need 145 runs to win the game in 23 overs. In the same vein, despite rain stoppages, Rohit and Shubman have already stitched an unbeaten 101-run stand for the first wicket at the end of the 14 overs and are cruising well towards the target.