A reserve day has been included for the India vs. Pakistan Super Four clash in the Asia Cup, scheduled for September 10. This is the only match, apart from the final, that will feature a reserve day. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) made this amendment to the playing conditions and advised spectators to retain their tickets in case the reserve day becomes necessary.
For matches where a reserve day is available, every effort will be made to complete the game on the originally scheduled day, even if it requires shortening the contest. If the reserve day comes into play, the match's duration will remain the same as it was on the last ball of the initial day.
Previously, rain had led to a washout in Pallekele during the first encounter between India and Pakistan in this Asia Cup. Rain also made an appearance during India's inaugural international match against Nepal at the same venue. However, on that occasion, the rain was less persistent, allowing for a 23-over chase, which India successfully completed to advance to the Super Four.
The decision to add a reserve day exclusively for the India-Pakistan match in the Super Four round received mixed reactions. Bangladesh's coach expressed surprise at the late alteration of the tournament rules, stating that such changes were unusual. He acknowledged that he would have preferred an extra day but accepted the decision, emphasizing the need to adhere to the established rules.
Sri Lanka's coach also expressed surprise at the decision, highlighting that the teams participating in the competition have limited influence over the organization of the tournament. He suggested that the reserve day could potentially create complications if it affected the allocation of points.
Given the looming threat of rain in Colombo over the next week, the PCB, the official hosts of the tournament, initially proposed relocating the Colombo matches to Hambantota. However, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) ultimately decided to stick with the original Colombo schedule, despite the PCB's reluctance. During these discussions, the PCB raised concerns about the possibility of another India-Pakistan game getting washed out in a tournament they officially hosted. This led to the introduction of the reserve day for the crucial India-Pakistan clash.
The India vs. Pakistan match scheduled for Sunday also faces a rain threat, with a high probability of precipitation. If the weather clears, India's premier bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, who missed the Nepal fixture for the birth of his child, may make a return to the action. Bumrah, recovering from a long-standing back injury, is yet to bowl in an ODI ahead of the World Cup next month. He made his ODI comeback in the Pakistan game but didn't have a chance to bowl due to rain preventing Pakistan from commencing their innings.
