Similar to the Group A encounter, the impending Super Fours clash betweenSouth Asian adversaries Pakistan and India may also fall victim to thecapricious rains.
During the group stage, both teams faced a disheartening washout, leavingfans yearning for a full-fledged showdown between these arch-rivals.Unfortunately, the weather forecast for Sunday’s Asia Cup match predictsyet more rain, further dashing hopes of an uninterrupted match.
Despite these meteorological obstacles, both teams have successfullyadvanced to the Super 4 stage of the tournament, a phase relocated to SriLanka due to India’s reluctance to compete in Pakistan, the initial hostnation.
In the aftermath of the much-anticipated group match’s abandonment inKandy, event organizers scrambled to explore alternative venues within thecountry that offered more favorable climatic conditions. One optionconsidered was Hambantota in the southern part of Sri Lanka, known for itssuitability for a full 50-over contest. However, Colombo, situated in thewestern region of the country, has retained its hosting rights despite theominous rain forecasts for the coming days.
If the Super 4 clash between these neighboring rivals ultimately unfolds atColombo’s R Premadasa Stadium (pending any last-minute alterations), thereremains a looming threat of rain interruptions. According to the UK’s MetOffice, there is a 70 percent chance of precipitation throughout the day.Conversely, the BBC suggests a slightly lesser probability of rainfall onthe day of the match.
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Moreover, recent days have witnessed a slight respite in Colombo’sinclement weather, which had previously caused flooding in the area.
Reflecting on India’s last match against Pakistan at Pallekele,anticipation was high following Rohit Sharma’s team’s formidable total of266, powered by spectacular fifties from Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya.Pakistan’s fast bowlers, led by Shaheen Afridi, displayed exceptionalprowess by taking all 10 wickets. However, the second innings nevercommenced due to relentless rain, erasing any hope of even a truncated20-over showdown
