Asia Cup 2023: Jay Shah under fire as rain interrupts another Indo-Pak clash

In the ongoing Asia Cup 2023, Pakistan squared off India in a highly anticipated Super Four match at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, on Sunday. 

Unfortunately, continuous rain spells forced the match to be called off for the day. However, there was a reserve day allocated for this crucial match, and it will resume on Monday from where it was halted. At the time the rain interrupted play, India had scored 147/2 in 24.1 overs. 

The decision to host these important matches in Colombo was highly influenced by Jay Shah, the President of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC),  where prolonged rain was predicted for the next ten days. Shah was targeted with massive criticism on social media, with fans expressing their frustration.

Fans took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to voice their disappointment after the match was called off for the day. It's worth noting that there's a 90% chance of rain disrupting play once again on Monday when the two teams are set to resume their game.

Previously, Shah addressed the ongoing situation, and provided insight into the decision taken to move Asia Cup 2023 out of Pakistan.

“All the full members, media rights holders, and in-stadia rights holders were initially hesitant to commit to hosting the entire tournament in Pakistan. This reluctance stemmed from concerns related to the security and economic situation prevailing in the country," Shah said in the press release.

"The decision-making process regarding the Asia Cup 2023 format and venue was guided by a sincere desire to prioritize the well-being of the players, as well as the overarching interests of the sport. Ultimately, the goal was to strike a balance that would allow for a competitive and successful tournament while ensuring the health and readiness of the participating teams for ICC Cricket World Cup 2023," he further added.

It is worth noting that if the remaining matches of the tournament are washed out, including Pakistan vs. India, then Pakistan and Sri Lanka would advance to the final, each receiving four points. In contrast, India would secure the third spot in the Super 4 points table, scoring three points, while Bangladesh would only manage to gain one point, having faced defeat in both of their Super 4 matches.

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