Final of Asia Cup 2023 likely to be held in Kandy instead of Colombo- Reports

Kandy cricket ground (Source: Twitter)

The highly anticipated final of the 2023 Asia Cup is likely to change its venue from the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo due to unfavourable weather conditions in the city. Reports suggest that the match might be relocated to the Pallekele International Stadium in Kandy, where the weather outlook for September 17 is more promising.

Pallekele has previously hosted three group-stage matches, including the rain-affected India-Pakistan clash, which ended after India posted 266 runs. The first match at Pallekele between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh proceeded without disruptions. Rain also affected India's game against Nepal, but India secured a ten-wicket win using the DLS method.

Additionally, the Super Four stage match between India and Pakistan was interrupted by rain and had to be played on the reserve day. This is necessary so that the mega event like the finals is not affected that much by rain. The rain affected of the match will see the team who have finished higher on the Super 4s points table lifting the 2023 edition of the Asia Cup.

India defeated Pakistan by a margin of 228 runs in the Super Four stage clash

The much-anticipated clash between India and Pakistan saw India's initial Super Four stage match, Pakistan won the toss and elected to field. India had reached a score of 147 for two in 24.1 overs, thanks to a century-plus partnership between Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, before rain interrupted play.

On the reserve day, KL Rahul and Virat Kohli resumed the innings, both scoring centuries, and guiding India to a substantial total of 356/2 in their allotted 50 overs. Rahul, returning after a six-month injury layoff, remained unbeaten with 111 runs from 106 balls, while the former Indian captain Kohli played an unbroken innings of 122 runs from 94 deliveries.

Subsequently, Kuldeep Yadav delivered an outstanding performance, taking 5 wickets for 25 runs, as India bowled out Babar Azam's Pakistan team for 128 runs in 32 overs. Besides Kuldeep, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, and Shardul Thakur each claimed one wicket. Fakhar Zaman was Pakistan's top scorer, contributing 27 runs from 50 deliveries.