What would happen if the Pakistan vs. Sri Lanka Super 4 match is postponed due to rain and threatens to eliminate Pakistan from the Asia Cup?

On Thursday at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, a virtual semifinal of the Asia Cup 2023 will pit Pakistan against Sri Lanka. Who will take against India in the Sunday final will be determined by the last game of the Super 4 round. After winning their first two games against Pakistan and Sri Lanka, the team lead by Rohit Sharma secured their spot in the championship game. They won’t be impacted in any manner even if they lose against Bangladesh on Friday in the last Super 4 stage encounter. Pakistan and Sri Lanka, on the other hand, do not share this situation.
Pakistan and Sri Lanka both defeated Bangladesh but fell short against India. The equation is now rather straightforward. The winner of the Sri Lanka vs. Pakistan game will go to the championship game. But there’s a problem. The weather prediction has been one of the most crucial aspects of 2017 Asia Cup, with rain expected in Colombo virtually daily. Rain has interfered with every Super 4 match save the Sri Lanka vs. Bangladesh contest. The India vs. Pakistan game required a reserve day to be finished, while the India vs. Sri Lanka game saw a brief interruption.

Sri Lanka vs. Pakistan weather prediction for Colombo

If weather predictions are to be believed, the match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka won’t be any different. In fact, if anything, the weather in Colombo might significantly affect the result of Friday’s game.

Accuweather predicts a significant risk of rain interfering with the PAK vs. SL game. It is expected to storm during 9 AM (local time), 2 PM, 5 PM, and 8 PM. With roughly 96% of the sky covered in clouds, the likelihood of rain during the day is extremely high.

A delayed start might result from the high likelihood of rain in the early and afternoon. Rain chances diminish as the evening wears on but then increase around 8 o’clock. Given that Premadasa has seen continuous rain for the last five days, it will take a lot of time for the grounds crew to prepare the area for cricket.

What if the Asia Cup Super 4 match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka is postponed? Is a reserve day available?

Since there is no reserve day in place, if the Pakistan vs. Sri Lanka game is canceled due to inclement weather, both sides will get three points apiece and finish the Super 4 stage, but Sri Lanka will go on to the championship game owing to their superior net run rate. The significant 228-run defeat against India severely hurt Pakistan’s run pace.

The fact that rain has often avoided the daylight hours despite weather forecasts is a good indication for Pakistan. Premadasa’s drainage system is likewise first-rate. In the worst-case situation, the match referee and the umpires would try to fit at least a 20-over match in.

The squad selection will be a key element if the game is ultimately cut short. Pakistan has selected their starting lineup. Zaman Khan will play against Sri Lanka in his first ODI. He will take the place of injured Naseem Shah, whose shoulder ailment will prevent him from playing the rest of the competition.

Fast bowler Haris Rauf’s injury-related absence from the game was also confirmed in the starting eleven named by the Pakistani team management on Wednesday.

Additionally, Pakistan substituted Mohammad Haris for an out-of-sorts Fakhar Zaman at the top of the order.

Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Rizwan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Salman Agha, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Wasim Jr., and Zaman Khan make up Pakistan’s starting XI.