Zaka Ashraf, Chairman of the Management Committee of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), has suggested relocating the Asia Cup 2023 matches to Pakistan due to concerns regarding adverse weather conditions in Sri Lanka. This proposal emerged following Ashraf’s recent conversation with Jay Shah, President of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), where they deliberated on rain-affected matches involving Pakistan and India in Sri Lanka.

Ashraf’s position stems from the unpredictability of weather patterns in Sri Lanka, prompting him to advocate for a comprehensive weather assessment in the coming days. As a viable solution, he proposed the possibility of moving the Asia Cup matches to Pakistan, specifically mentioning that Pakistan-India matches could be played in Dubai if necessary.

Moreover, there is a possibility of relocating the Super 4 stage matches of the Asia Cup, initially slated for Colombo on September 9, to alternative venues such as Pallekele or Hambantota. According to media reports by the Daily Mirror, ongoing discussions between the Asian Cricket Council and Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) have been confirmed by an SLC official. The official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, mentioned that a decision would be made in the next few days, with Dambulla not being considered as one of the potential venues.

Ashraf had previously underscored the importance of the Asia Cup as a premier cricket tournament and stressed the necessity of preventing disruptions caused by rain. Consequently, if unfavorable weather conditions persist in Sri Lanka, he believes it is imperative to seriously consider relocating the matches to Pakistan.

In response to Ashraf’s proposal, Jay Shah has conveyed his commitment to evaluating the situation and finding an appropriate resolution.