Pakistan’s winning run in the Asia Cup continues. Having convincingly beaten Nepal in the first round of the tournament and then dominating India in the rain-drawn game, Greenshirts outclassed Bangladesh in their first match of the Super 4 stage at Gaddafi Stadium Lahore on Wednesday. They have now to play India (on 10th September) and Sri Lanka (on 14th September) and are the hot favourites to reach the final, based on their performance in all departments of the game: their bowling, especially their trio of pacers, is fearsome; their batting pretty consistent; and their fielding much improved.
While some exciting cricket is on the cards in the tournament ahead — specially the traditional rivalry between Pakistan and India which can come face to face twice, depending upon the results — Sri Lankan weather unfortunately threatens to play spoilsport. The ICC has decided to stick to Colombo as venue for the remaining four matches of the Super 4 stage as well as the final, even though the Sri Lankan capital is forecast to receive rain for the next 10 days as well as on 17th September when the tournament’s final is scheduled.
This is where the ICC — dominated by the Indian cricket board which accounts for the bulk of the total revenue — has come under criticism. When, in the wake of India’s refusal to play in Pakistan, it was decided to organise the tournament under a hybrid model, the PCB suggested the UAE as an alternate venue. However, an India-influenced ICC chose Sri Lanka despite the island being rain-prone in this part of the year. Good news though is that Team Pakistan will qualify for the final even if all the remaining matches of the Super 4 stage experience a total washout. In the meanwhile, let’s pray for the rain to go to Spain — from Sri Lanka.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 8th, 2023.
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