It’s hard to remember when the debate of Asia Cup 2023 venues began but it’s an ongoing process even when the tournament is about to hit its second phase. Many fingers were raised when Pakistan was forced to co-host the mega event and share it with Sri Lanka because of politics stemming from BCCI. But scheduling the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka proved to be a disaster from the very start. Here are three reasons why choosing the Lankan soil was a bad decision
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Asia Cup in Sri Lanka a disaster
Just four matches for the original hosts
To get just four matches out of thirteen in a tournament that was originally supposed to be entirely conducted by Pakistan was extremely unfair to begin with. When Jay Shah tried fitting in his ego covered in political agendas and backed by money, all participating countries suffered except for India. The most brunt suffered was by Pakistan and the Pakistani fans.
The three of four games brought out a huge turn-out of fans in the stadium and it’s really disturbing that a cricket-crazy country, destined to host an event was robbed of its rights and people’s happiness.
The Lankan stadiums did not generate the same crowd and the matches did not give a good flavour.
Exhausting flight schedules
Teams except for India had to travel to Sri Lanka, then to Pakistan and then back to Sri Lanka. It was especially tough for Pakistan who were in the co-host country before the event to play the Test series. They flew back to Pakistan for the Asia Cup opener, went back to play against India and have returned to play their first match of the super four. All this travelling reduces the recovery time for players to a large extent which affects how they play their matches.
These unruly flight schedules display how the Asia Cricket Council (ACC) especially Jay Shah the president only care about the comfort of just one team.
The rain doesn’t go away
The third and most important reason why the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka proved to be such a disaster was rain. August and September are monsoon seasons in the second host country. Three matches have been played in Sri Lanka so far and all three of them had rain interruptions. The biggest most sought-after match, the Pakistan vs. India face of, had to be called off due to rain. Needless to say, fans were left sad and angry
The hypocrisy of BCCI continues
First, they vehemently changed the venue of the marquee event ignoring all logistic difficulties for other countries. Then they ensured the biggest battles were fought in rain-hit grounds to ensure team India’s safety against Pakistan’s fast bowling attacks.
When the Sri Lankan cricket board offered alternative grounds to Colombo, it being the most rain-effected, Jay Shah denied all options citing illogical reasons including hotels being far or not being suitable.
The ACC and BCCI reeks of hypocrisy. In an effort of self-satisfaction, they completely ignored that six other teams were also part of the tournament. Asia Cup in Sri Lanka should have not been made a possibility in the first place. Secondly, equal matches should have been divided between the two host countries. Lastly, drier grounds would have ensured the smooth sailing of matches. But what can we say, after all, we’re fans of a less-earning cricket board.
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