In a fresh twist to the Asia Cup 2023, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) find themselves locked in a heated dispute. PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf has sent a letter to the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), headed by BCCI Secretary Jay Shah, requesting compensation for rain-affected matches in the tournament held in Sri Lanka.
The eagerly awaited India vs. Pakistan Group A clash, a highlight of the event, was washed out without a single ball being bowled in the second innings. Similarly, India’s second match against Nepal at the Pallekele International Stadium in Kandy also fell victim to persistent rain.
Zaka Ashraf, representing PCB, cited the continuous rainfall in Sri Lanka as a major obstacle to ticket sales, resulting in considerably lower revenue than expected. As a result, he officially requested compensation.
Asia Cup 2023 adopts a ‘hybrid format,’ with four matches scheduled in Pakistan and the remainder in Sri Lanka. Despite this, PCB holds the official hosting responsibility, making them accountable for organizing the matches.
Rohit Sharma’s Team India faced rain disruptions in both of their Asia Cup 2023 matches. While the Duckworth-Lewis method determined the outcome of their game against Nepal, which they won by 10 wickets, the India vs. Pakistan showdown was entirely washed out due to unrelenting rain. Both matches took place in Pallekele.
There have been questions regarding the ticket prices set by PCB for India’s group stage matches. The India vs. Pakistan encounter, highly anticipated by fans, was priced at a modest $5, while tickets for the India vs. Nepal match were marked at double the price, totaling $10.
The India vs. Pakistan match, scheduled for the Super 4 stage at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, faces a looming threat of rain, with weather forecasts indicating a 90 percent chance of showers.
Former PCB President Najam Sethi expressed his dissatisfaction with ACC’s decision not to relocate the Super Four stage from Colombo to Hambantota, as previously rumored. In a critical statement, he questioned the abrupt venue change and raised concerns about India’s willingness to face Pakistan amidst the uncertain weather conditions.
Despite the controversies surrounding the tournament, Pakistan commenced the Super 4 stage of Asia Cup 2023 with a resounding victory over Bangladesh at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
The Asia Cup 2023, once a celebration of cricketing excellence, now finds itself overshadowed by disputes, rain chaos, and questions about the fairness of ticket pricing. As the tournament unfolds, cricket enthusiasts eagerly await resolutions and hope for thrilling matches to rekindle the spirit of the game.
