Asia Cup 2023: Colombo ground in bad shape but SLC head curator confident of hosting Super Fours matches

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The ongoing Asia Cup 2023 has entered its second round. India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will lock horns in the six matches of Super Fours stage of the intercontinental showpiece event.

Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Pakistan is hosting the first match, however the eyes are on the five matches to be held at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Like Pallekele which hosted the three league stage matches of the Asia Cup 2023, it has been raining heavily in Colombo as well. Several parts of the city are witnessing water logging issues.

The first match in Pallekele saw rain interruption but the match between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh got completed without any deduction in overs.

The second match at the venue between India and Pakistan was abandoned after the Indian innings. India were asked to chase 145 in 23 overs after Nepal posted 230 in 48.2 in the third game at Pallekele.

However, the conditions in Colombo are grimmer. The Sri Lankan capital has received heavy rainfall in the last few days and as a result the R Premadasa Stadium is in a really bad shape. Those aware of the situation have ruled out any chances of play at the venue.

However, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) chief curator Godfrey Dabrera has expressed confidence that his team would be able to make the ground ready on time. He has also added that they would be rendered helpless in case it continues to rain on the matchday.

"Yes, the predictions are for rain. We had rains here this morning too, and it has made the wicket and areas near it a bit wet. The outfield too has soaked in a good amount of water. But we are working hard, and we are confident of preparing the ground in time for the matches," said Godfrey Dabrera, the national curator of SLC.

"All three cities (Colombo, Pallekele and Hambantota) are experiencing rainfall. But we have assembled around 100 members, and we are readying pitches in all three venues.

"We have been told that the matches are here, so we are preparing accordingly. But I can say that all three venues can host matches, if a need arises," he added.

Highlighting another issue, Dabrera said that SLC gets weather predictions from the MeT department for the next 12 days only. He wished for these forecast data to be given to them a few more days in advance.

"Rain during the match is tough to manage as we have to wait till it subsides. But we can only do this much when the Met department provides only 12 days of forecast in advance.

"We have received the next 12 days of weather updates only today from them. Hope, we had that a few days ago," he said.

Reports on Monday have revealed that the Asia Cricket Council (ACC) had shifted the matches from Colombo to Hambantota to avoid rain interruptions but Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) rejected the idea.