Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced a 15-member squad to take part in the Women’s Asia Cup 2026. 

According to the SLC, the Women’s T20 Asia Cup will be held in the UAE from 28 August to 13 September 2026. 

The squad will be led by Chamari Athapaththu, while Harshitha Samarawickrama has been named Vice Captain. (Newswire)

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The Sri Lanka Cricket Selection Committee has named a 15-member squad to participate in the upcoming ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup (50 Over). 

According to an SLC statement, the team will depart for the United Arab Emirates on 10 December 2025.

The Sri Lankan squad has been placed in Group B, alongside Nepal, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh. 

Details of the squad and their group-stage matches:

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Pakistan’s team manager, Naveed Akram Cheema, filed an official complaint with the match referee, Andy Pycroft, after Team India refused to shake hands with the opposition following their commanding seven-wicket win in the Group A match of the Asia Cup 2025 on Sunday at the Dubai International Stadium.

Heading into the contest, the build-up was far from ideal. Boycott calls reigned supreme, and fans back in India weren’t pleased with the game going on in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack and ‘Operation Sindoor’.

Earlier this year, 26 people were killed in a ghastly attack in Kashmir, and this led to India launching Operation Sindoor, targeting terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Now, Hindustan Times can confirm that the Pakistan management has officially lodged a complaint against the Indian team’s actions, saying they were against “the spirit of sports.” An official statement shared by the Pakistan Cricket Board over WhatsApp confirmed that match referee Pycroft informed Salman Agha not to shake hands with Suryakumar Yadav at the toss, but no directive was issued for the post-match formalities.

“The Pakistani cricket team manager Naveed Akram Cheema has officially lodged a protest against the Indian cricket team, calling the behaviour against the spirit of sports,” stated the official statement.

It also needs to be mentioned that another controversy erupted after the Pakistan captain did not come for the post-match interview with the official broadcaster, Sony. Now, it has been confirmed that Salman Agha snubbed the post-match presentation with Sanjay Manjrekar because of the handshake gate.

“Salman Ali Agha skipped the post-match presentation in protest against the behaviour of the Indian team۔,” the statement added.

The game started with captains Suryakumar Yadav and Salman Ali Agha making no handshake or eye contact. However, this wasn’t considered a big deal as the Indian skipper had also not shaken hands with the UAE captain Muhammad Waseem.

However, drama unfolded after Suryakumar Yadav hit the winning six. He and Shivam Dube charged into the dressing room without shaking hands with the Pakistan players. At first, it seemed that even Salman Agha and his team were not interested in offering the handshake.

However, things took a turn when the entire Pakistan lineup, led by captain Agha and coach Mike Hesson, approached the Indian dressing room, waiting for the customary handshakes. Soon, the Indian management shut the door, firmly closing any chance of going out and offering their hand for the post-match formalities.

This left Pakistan coach Hesson fuming, and he even came to the press conference to explain his stance, saying his team wanted to shake hands, but there was no reciprocation from the other side.

Suryakumar dedicates win to the Indian Armed Forces

Speaking after the win over the arch-rival, Suryakumar Yadav dedicated India’s win to the Indian Armed Forces, saying the entire contingent stands in solidarity with the Pahalgam terror attack victims.

“We stand by the families of the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack. We express our solidarity. Want to dedicate the win to all our armed forces who showed a lot of bravery. Hope they continue to inspire us all and we give them more reasons on the ground whenever we get an opportunity to make them smile,” he said right at the end of the post-match presentation. (Hindustan Times)

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The Indian Supreme Court on Thursday declined an urgent hearing on a petition seeking cancellation of the India-Pakistan Asia Cup T20 match scheduled for September 14 in Dubai.

A Bench of Justices J.K. Maheshwari and Vijay Bishnoi refused to entertain the public interest litigation (PIL) filed by four law students, who argued that playing Pakistan so soon after the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor would send the wrong message.

“Match is this Sunday? What can we do about that? Let it be. The match should go on,” Justice Maheshwari observed during the brief hearing.

The petitioners’ counsel urged that the plea at least be listed for consideration, regardless of its merit. However, the Bench declined the request for urgent listing and reiterated that the match would proceed as scheduled.

The PIL claimed that hosting a cricket fixture against Pakistan would undermine the morale of the Armed Forces and cause distress to the families of martyrs and terror victims. It further contended that cricket could not be placed above national security, citizens’ lives, or the sacrifices of soldiers.

With the Court’s refusal, the high-profile encounter between India and Pakistan in the Asia Cup remains on course for Sunday in Dubai. (Gulf News)

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Seasoned match referees Richie Richardson and Andy Pycroft will lead the match officials’ team at the DP World Asia Cup 2025, which begins on Tuesday (09 Sept).

The tournament will commence with a Group B match between Afghanistan and Hong Kong, China at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

The Asian Cricket Council has confirmed the match officials’ appointments for the 12-match group stage, which runs from 9 to 19 September. 

The match officials’ list for the Super Four and the tournament final will be announced later.

The umpires set to officiate the tournament include;

Ahmad Pakteen (Afghanistan), Asif Yaqoob (Pakistan), Faisal Afridi (Pakistan), Gazi Sohel (Bangladesh), Izatullah Safi (Afghanistan), Masudur Rahman (Bangladesh), Raveendra Wimalasiri (Sri Lanka), Rohan Pandit (India), Ruchira Palliyaguruge (Sri Lanka) and Virender Sharma (India).

DP World Asia Cup 2025 – Match officials’ appointments for group stage:

• Tuesday, 9 September – 

Afghanistan vs Hong Kong China, Abu Dhabi – 6:30pm

On-field umpires: Asif Yaqoob and Virender Sharma.

TV umpire: Faisal Afridi, fourth umpire: Raveendra Wimalasiri.

Match referee: Richie Richardson

• Wednesday, 10 September – 

India vs United Arab Emirates, Dubai – 6:30pm

On-field umpires: Gazi Sohel and Izatullah Safi

TV umpire: Ruchira Palliyaguruge, fourth umpire: Masudur Rahman

Match referee: Andy Pycroft

• Thursday, 11 September – 

Bangladesh vs Hong Kong China, Abu Dhabi – 6:30pm

On-field umpires: Raveendra Wimalasiri and Rohan Pandit

TV umpire: Asif Yaqoob, fourth umpire: Faisal Afridi

Match referee: Richie Richardson

• Friday, 12 September – 

Pakistan vs Oman, Dubai – 6:30pm

On-field umpires: Masudur Rahman and Ahmad Pakteen

TV umpire: Gazi Sohel, fourth umpire: Ruchira Palliyaguruge

Match referee: Andy Pycroft

• Saturday, 13 September – 

Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka, Abu Dhabi – 6:30pm

On-field umpires: Rohan Pandit and Faisal Afridi

TV umpire: Virender Sharma, fourth umpire: Asif Yaqoob

Match referee: Richie Richardson

• Sunday, 14 September – 

India vs Pakistan, Dubai – 6:30pm

On-field umpires: Ruchira Palliyaguruge and Masudur Rahman

TV umpire: Ahmad Pakteen, fourth umpire: Izatullah Safi

Match referee: Andy Pycroft

• Monday, 15 September – 

UAE vs Oman, Abu Dhabi – 4:00pm

On-field umpires: Virender Sharma and Asif Yaqoob

TV umpire: Raveendra Wimalasiri, fourth umpire: Rohan Pandit

Match referee: Richie Richardson

• Monday, 15 September – 

Sri Lanka vs Hong Kong China, Dubai – 6:30pm

On-field umpires: Gazi Sohel and Izatullah Safi

TV umpire: Masudur Rahman, fourth umpire: Ahmad Pakteen

Match referee: Andy Pycroft

• Tuesday, 16 September – 

Bangladesh vs Afghanistan, Abu Dhabi – 6:30pm

On-field umpires: Faisal Afridi and Raveendra Wimalasiri

TV umpire: Rohan Pandit, fourth umpire: Virender Sharma

Match referee: Richie Richardson

• Wednesday, 17 September – 

Pakistan vs UAE, Dubai – 6:30pm

On-field umpires: Ahmad Pakteen and Ruchira Palliyaguruge

TV umpire: Izatullah Safi, fourth umpire: Gazi Sohel

Match referee: Andy Pycroft

• Thursday, 18 September – 

Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan, Abu Dhabi – 6:30pm

On-field umpires: Asif Yaqoob and Virender Sharma

TV umpire: Faisal Afridi, fourth umpire: Rohan Pandit

Match referee: Richie Richardson

• Friday, 19 September – 

India vs Oman, Abu Dhabi – 6:30pm

On-field umpires: Raveendra Wimalasiri and Faisal Afridi

TV umpire: Asif Yaqoob, fourth umpire: Virender Sharma

Match referee: Richie Richardson (ICC)

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The exclusive television broadcast rights and non-exclusive digital rights in Sri Lanka for all Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Asia Cup tournaments from 2025 to 2027 have been secured by Sirasa TV and TV-1, part of MTV Channel (Pvt) Ltd.

This TV deal covers the broad spectrum of Asia Cup tournaments, including Men’s T20, Men’s ODI, and Women’s Asia Cup, the most prestigious events in the Asian cricket calendar.

The broadcast rights are for 12 major tournaments over three years, including multiple Under-19 and Emerging Teams events.

The highly anticipated DP World Asia Cup 2025 (Men’s T20) will kick off on 9 September, featuring 19 matches hosted across Dubai and Abu Dhabi, with cricketing giants such as India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka set to compete.

The agreement also includes coverage of the Women’s T20 Asia Cup, Women’s Under-19, and Women’s Emerging Teams tournaments. 

Tournament Line-Up:

• 2025

– Men’s T20 Asia Cup

– Men’s Under-19 T20 Asia Cup

– Men’s Emerging Teams T20 Asia Cup

– Women’s Emerging Teams T20 Asia Cup

• 2026

– Women’s T20 Asia Cup

– Men’s Under-19 ODI Asia Cup

– Men’s Emerging Teams ODI Asia Cup

– Women’s Under-19 T20 Asia Cup

• 2027

– Men’s ODI Asia Cup

– Men’s Under-19 T20 Asia Cup

– Women’s Emerging Teams T20 Asia Cup

The first tournament in the series, the DP World Asia Cup 2025 (Men’s T20), kicks off on 9 September 2025, culminating in the grand final on 28 September.

A total of 19 matches will be played across Dubai and Abu Dhabi, featuring eight top-tier teams: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, UAE, Oman, Hong Kong, and Sri Lanka.

• Group Stage Breakdown:

Group A: India, Pakistan, UAE, Oman

Group B: Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Hong Kong

Each team will face the others in their group, with the top two from each group advancing to the second round. 

Sri Lanka begins its campaign on 13 September against Bangladesh in Abu Dhabi. (Newswire)

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There’s a big question mark over this year’s Men’s Asia Cup in September with a report claiming that the Indian cricket team has withdrawn from the biennial continental tournament.

The BCCI has reportedly told the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), which is headed by Pakistan minister Mohsin Naqvi, that it’s pulling out its teams from the Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup in Sri Lanka, slated to be held in June and the Men’s Asia Cup 2025.

As per a report in The Indian Express, the decision has been taken following the escalated hostilities between India and Pakistan. India successfully conducted a military operation, dubbed Operation Sindoor, targeting multiple terror locations in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Pakistan in response to a terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam last month that resulted in the death of 26 civilians.

“The Indian team can’t play in a tournament that is organised by the ACC whose chief is a Pakistan minister,” the publication quoted a BCCI source as saying. “That’s the sentiment of the nation. We have verbally communicated to ACC about our withdrawal from the upcoming Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup, and our future participation in their events too is on hold. We are in constant touch with the Indian government.”

This year’s Asia Cup was set to be hosted by India and played in a T20 format given the next year’s T20 World Cup. The tournament was last held in 2023 when India defeated Sri Lanka to become the champions.

Considering the majority of sponsors of the Asia Cup are from India, BCCI’s decision could very well result in the tournament being cancelled. Besides India, the competition was also set to feature Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

The previous edition of Asia Cup was hosted by Pakistan but BCCI’s refusal to send its team across the border resulted in the tournament being played in Hybrid Model. All of India’s matches were held in Sri Lanka including the final.

Similarly, the ICC Champions Trophy earlier this year also employed the Hybrid Model with India playing all their matches in Dubai. (Cricketnext)

The post India pull out of 2025 Men’s Asia Cup in September – Report appeared first on Newswire.

The matches of the upcoming Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2024, to be played in Sri Lanka, will be open for the public to watch ‘free of charge’. 

According to the organizers, the gates at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium will be kept open for the public to watch the games.

The tournament will commence on Friday (July 19), with the UAE taking on Nepal at 2.00 pm and India taking on Pakistan at 7.00 pm.

Sri Lanka’s first game will be against Bangladesh on Saturday (July 20) at 07.00 pm.

Teams have already started arriving for the Women’s T20 Asia Cup. Malaysia, Nepal, the UAE, and Thailand are already in the country, while Pakistan, Bangladesh, and India are expected to arrive tomorrow. (Newswire)

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Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has heaped praise on Sri Lanka’s Pramod Madushan for his awareness during the Asia Cup Super 4 match against Pakistan in Colombo yesterday. 

Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan by 2 wickets to qualify for the finals against India on Sunday (Sep 17). During the match, Sri Lanka’s Pramod Madushan used a clever tactic, and ended up getting dismissed, but helped his team steer towards victory.

Lauding Madushan for his cleverness, India’s Ravichandran Ashwin called out the 29-year-old cricketer’s awareness, likening it to that of a “Tennis ball” game.

“Absolutely! Just. He missed the ball, Asalanka was charging down the pitch (high octane pressure) and yet this guy stood his ground until the keeper missed his attempt and then started running. All I can say is that these sorts of reactions come from practice and this happens mostly in Tennis ball cricket,” he said, taking to ‘X’.

Former Indian cricketer Venkatesh Prasad also praised the Sri Lankan cricketer, stating that he had shown great awareness in the crucial match against Pakistan. (NewsWire)

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Sri Lanka’s Charith Asalanka has rated his match-winning 47-ball 49 not out as the second best knock of his career after helping Sri Lanka beat Pakistan in a last-ball thriller to set-up the Asia Cup final clash against India. 

Asalanka kept his cool despite a mini batting collapse in the back end as Sri Lanka chased down a target of 252 in the final delivery.

“I just thought how can I get two to hit a gap and run hard because it is a big field and just told Pathirana to run hard,” he said after the match.

“I thought either he would bowl a bouncer or a yorker and then he bowled a slower ball, so it was on my side. I am very excited.

“Mendis and Sadeera batted really well. I wanted to finish. That is my role. I can rank this innings second place in my book,” he added.

Kusal Mendis set up the chase with an 87-ball 91 and shared a 100-run stand with Sadeera Samarawickrama (48).

“Happy with my performance, happy to get to the final,” said Mendis, who was adjudged the Player of the Match.

“Those two wickets fell down and we were nervous, but with Charith in the middle we had hope. He’s done this in one game against Afghanistan. I think we also bowled really well, so happy to be in the final.

“Wanindu, Kumara and Dusmantha are main bowlers, but we have these bowlers who are bowling well. This is a young unit.”

Dasun Shanaka, the Sri Lanka captain, hailed his team for reaching back-to-back finals.

“We had the game under control, but the losing of wickets took it till the last over. We gave them a chance to come back in the game, but we knew Charith could get us home,” he said.

“We had a discussion before batting and we discussed the mistakes we made in the India game. We gave away wickets in the first 10 overs, and Kusal and Sadeera played brilliant knocks.

“I think they are the best spin players in the Sri Lanka squad. And Charith, he showed great character. Special feeling, back to back finals.”

Pakistan captain Babar Azam was disappointed with his bowlers’ performance in the 2-wicket loss to Sri Lanka.

“Sri Lanka played very well, better cricket than us. We have not been up to the mark in bowling and fielding. That is why we lost the match,” he said.

“In the middle overs, we did not bowl well. That partnership cost us. We started well, ended well, but the middle overs were not great. We have lacked that.” (India Today)

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Heavy showers and cloudy weather have been predicted for the remainder of the day by several weather departments today.

Sri Lanka’s Department of Meteorology predicts several spells of showers in the Western Province, as per the weather forecast issued from 12.00 noon for the rest of the day.

Sri Lanka is scheduled to take on Pakistan in the Super 4 of the 2023 Asia Cup cricket tournament at R. Premadasa in Colombo today. 

If play is called off due to rain, Sri Lanka will qualify for the finals in which it will take on India. 

The match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan has been delayed due to rain, while heavy rains are also being experienced in several parts of the Western Province. 

According to BBC Weather, thunderstorms are expected during the rest of the day in the Western Province.

Weather.com forecasts thunderstorms for the rest of the evening in Colombo today. 

AccuWeather also predicts cloudy weather and thundershowers in Colombo. 

The post Asia Cup, SL vs PAK : What is the weather forecast for Thursday evening? appeared first on Newswire.

Sri Lanka will take on Pakistan in the Super 4 of the 2023 Asia Cup at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Thursday (Sep 14).

Several weather departments have predicted rain during the day and night in the Western Province on Thursday (Tomorrow).

In the event, the match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan is called off, then Sri Lanka will qualify for the finals against India. Sri Lanka will play the final as they have a superior net run rate compared to Pakistan. 

According to BBC Weather, thunderstorms are likely in Colombo on Thursday.

Weather.com also predicts thunderstorms and cloudy weather. 

AccuWeather forecasts cloudy weather and thunderstorms on Thursday.

Sri Lanka’s Met Department says showers will occur at times in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in the Puttalam, Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Matara districts on Thursday. (NewsWire)

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A new digital record has been achieved by India during its match against Pakistan in the 2023 Asia Cup tournament played in Sri Lanka yesterday (Sep 11). 

BCCI Secretary and Asia Cricket Council President Jay Shah said the match clocked 2.8 Crore concurrent users on Disney+ Hotstar, an Indian subscription video on-demand streaming service.

Taking to ‘X’, Jay Shah stated that this was the highest for any India match in the history of digital.

He further stated that the previous best was the match between India and New Zealand during the semifinal of the 2019 Cricket World Cup with 2.52 Crore concurrent users.

India defeated Pakistan by 228 runs in the Super four of the 2023 Asia Cup yesterday and has topped the points table.

India will take on Sri Lanka today in the Super Four with the match scheduled for 03.00 pm local time at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka. (NewsWire)

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The AccuWeather prediction reads “thick cloud cover with occasional rains and a thunderstorm” for the day and “considerable cloudiness with a thunderstorm in spots for the night.” 

According to AccuWeather, there is an 84 per cent probability of rain during the day which reduces to 55 per cent during the night. 

The amount of rainfall predicted is lesser than what was predicted for the reserve day of the India-Pakistan game.

Meanwhile, BBC Weather’s rain predictor varies between 30 to 35 per cent during the match hours, with a spike at around 9:30 pm local time when the probability of rain increases to 70 per cent.

Also, Weather.com predicts somewhere between 60 to 80 per cent chance of rainfall during the match hours.

Sri Lanka’s Department of Meteorology says showers will occur at times in the Western Province today.

The department states showers are also expected in the Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in the Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Matara districts.

A few showers may occur in the Hambantota district, while showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in the Uva province and in the Batticaloa, Ampara districts during the evening or night. 

Fairly strong winds of about 40-45 kmph can be expected at times in western slopes of the central hills, Northern, North-central, and North-western provinces and in Trincomalee and Hambantota districts. (NewsWire)

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Sri Lanka bowling legend Muttiah Muralitharan has criticized the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) over the costly tickets for the 2023 Asia Cup tournament in Sri Lanka. 

The criticism comes as the Asia Cup fixtures between arch-rivals India and Pakistan were played in front of near-empty stadiums in Sri Lanka. The two teams were met with empty stadiums when they faced off in the Super Four of the 2023 Asia Cup on Sunday, September 10. 

To fill the empty stands, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) shared that the revised ticket prices had been reduced to Rs 500 and Rs 1000 at the last minute, but that too didn’t attract many.

India’s reluctance to travel to Pakistan forced the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) to opt for a hybrid model with four games in Pakistan and the remaining to be played in Sri Lanka. India are playing all their fixtures in Sri Lanka. However, the high ticket prices have meant that fans in Sri Lanka have not thronged the stadium.

Former Sri Lanka spinner Muttiah Muralitharan believes PCB is to be blamed for this fiasco due to the high ticket prices set by the board, who is the official host for the continental tournament.

In an exclusive conversation with News18, Muralitharan said, “It is the PCB who has decided the prices for these tickets as they are hosting the Asia Cup this year. Sri Lanka is currently going through a financial crisis. The ticket prices are really expensive and they were reduced at the last moment (just before the India vs. Pakistan match in Colombo) but it doesn’t work that way. The ticket prices start from Sri Lankan Rupees 6000 and upwards. If you want to watch the match from the grandstands it is 40000 to 50000 Sri Lankan Rupees which is equivalent to a person’s monthly salary. I don’t think anyone can afford that much money in Sri Lanka.”

Muralitharan feels that the audience wants to come and watch these matches but can’t afford the ticket price, “In Sri Lanka, whenever there are matches there is always a full house in the stadium. People want to come and watch these matches but they can’t afford such high-priced tickets. Even the Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh game which happened on Saturday didn’t attract many people despite the home team being in action and doing well.”

The Sri Lankan great also points out the unpredictable weather which has been another deterrent for people to buy tickets, “The league match between India and Pakistan ended up in a tie (no result) because of the rains. Perhaps, it was because of the rain prediction that people don’t want to take a chance. Also, there was some confusion regarding the venue (from Colombo to Hambantota) of the Super 4 matches and the final. People will be apprehensive to come forward and buy tickets.” (NewsWire)

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A special traffic plan will be in place in view of the Colombo leg of the 2023 Asia Cup cricket tournament, with the first match scheduled for today (Sep 09). 

The Police stated that the traffic plan will be in place for the matches scheduled on 09, 10, 12, 14, 15, and 17 September 2023.

The special traffic plan will be implemented from 12 pm on the said dates, they added. 

The Police have announced the traffic plan for those with special permits for the match and ordinary spectators. 

The Police have warned other motorists to use alternative routes as there could be heavy traffic due to the cricket matches. (NewsWire) 

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Questions have been raised on the allocation of a reserve day only for the cricket match between India and Pakistan in the Colombo leg of the Asia Cup 2023.

The Asian Cricket Council announced that Monday (Sep 11) has been allocated as a reserve day for the match between India and Pakistan scheduled for Sunday (Sep 10) at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo due to the prevalent rainy weather in Sri Lanka. 

However, reserve days have not been allocated for the other matches in Colombo, with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh kicking off the Colombo matches starting tomorrow (Sep 09).

It is reported that the match between India and Pakistan is generally watched by millions of people across the world and also generates massive income for broadcasters, involved cricket boards and the Asia Cricket Council.

However, several social media users have slammed the allocation of a reserve day only for the India and Pakistan game, as the remaining teams that are equal in the Super 4 round have not been provided with similar arrangements.

Questioning the special treatment of only two teams in the ongoing cricket series, social media users have hinted at favouritism and unfair treatment of the remaining teams participating in the Asia Cup. (NewsWire)

It's time Sri Lanka and Bangladesh should boycott Asia Cup 2023 for having reserve day for #INDvsPAK match.

Clear case of favouritism of teams to cover a mismanaged tournament. A pinnacle tournament in shambles because the people running the body aren't competent enough.

— Himanshu Pareek (@Sports_Himanshu) September 8, 2023

Keeping a reserve day for India Pakistan and not for any other Super Four game is an insult to the other boards. Fact.

— Anuj Nitin Prabhu (@APTalksCricket) September 8, 2023

Some reports claiming that there will be a reserve day only for the game between India & Pakistan scheduled on 10th SEPT. If it turns out true, then it is just shameful for cricket.

They used to indirectly give us the direction that the broadcasters only care about IND-PAK in…

— Saif Ahmed (@saifahmed75) September 8, 2023

India vs Pakistan Super 4 stage alone to have a reserve day. Talk about a level-playing field. Rest of the teams have a reason to feel incensed. What wrong did they do?

— Venkata Krishna B (@venkatatweets) September 8, 2023

Ridiculous decision to have a reserve day for just India v Pak game. It's like saying other teams don't matter.

Either have it for all matches or don't have it for any (except final).

And right now, the only place in Sri Lanka where is not threatening to rain is inside the…

— KSR (@KShriniwasRao) September 8, 2023

A multi-nation tournament deserves a reserve day for each of the Super 4 games not just Indo-Pak.
No rocket science there
PS: Neither of the two teams are defending champions by the way. Sri Lanka are #AsiaCup

— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) September 8, 2023

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Tickets for the Super 4 round of the 2023 Asia Cup cricket tournament are now available for purchase.

Taking to ‘X’, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) announced that tickets for the Colombo leg of the cricket tournament can be purchased now.

Tickets could be purchased via http://pcb.bookme.pk (NewsWire)

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Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has highlighted Sri Lankan cricketer Dhananjaya de Silva as a potential high performer in the ongoing 2023 Asia Cup cricket series. 

Ashwin has praised Dhananjaya de Silva for his outstanding performance in the Lanka Premier League (LPL) and the test series against Pakistan.

“DDS exhibits talent and class during his performance. He is also a natural while fielding. DDS is an exceptional player. What Litton Das is to Bangladesh is what Dhananjaya de Silva is to Sri Lanka,” Ashwin claimed.

Ashwin believes that Dhananjaya de Silva has yet to completely justify his talent for Sri Lanka, expressing hope that he becomes more consistent in the white-ball format.

India’s Ashwin also questioned the absence of young batter Nuwanidu Fernando, claiming that he is another player who exhibited class during his performance against India earlier this year.

Calling him a tall and lanky opening batsman, Ashwin said that Nuwanidu Fernando is a hard hitter with less effort, which is rare among cricketers. 

“This kind of batting depends on the timing and the push that they are able to give at the end. It is a natural gift for Nuwanidu Fernando,” he said.

Ashwin compared Nuwanindu Fernando’s batting style to Indian Cricket Legend VVS Lakshman.

India’s Ashwin added that he hopes Sri Lanka will identify Nuwanidu Fernando’s talent and start backing him. 

Ravichandran Ashwin shared these views while speaking during his YouTube talk show commenting on the teams in the ongoing 2023 Asia Cup cricket tournament. (NewsWire)

The post Ashwin reveals young player SL should back appeared first on Newswire.

We take a look at six players that are likely to perform well for their country at the 2023 Asia Cup in Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Pakistan – Babar Azam (MRF Tyres ODI Batting Ranking: 1)

The Pakistan captain often saves his best performances for the biggest occasion, and it would be no surprise to see the champion right-hander add to his 18 ODI centuries during the Asia Cup.

Babar holds a massive lead in the MRF Tyres ODI Batting Rankings and it will be his wicket that opposition teams strive for most when they take on Pakistan.

The 28-year-old compiled a pair of half-centuries in his two most recent ODI contests when scoring 53 and 60 against Afghanistan in their three-game series and this could prove just the entrée to what he delivers at the Asia Cup.

India – Jasprit Bumrah (MRF Tyres ODI Bowler Ranking: 32)

Everyone around the cricket world is happy to see the India quick back from injury and it looks like the pace spearhead has lost none of the magic that saw him become one of the most feared fast bowlers in the world.

Bumrah collected consecutive two-wicket hauls in his long-awaited return from injury in the recent T20I series against Ireland in Dublin and more is expected of the 29-year-old in Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

While Bumrah is among the best exponents of new-ball bowling in the world, his versatility to also make an impact during the middle overs and at the death makes him an extremely valuable commodity for India skipper Rohit Sharma.

Nepal – Gulshan Jha (MRF Tyres ODI All-rounder Ranking: 105)

The teenager showed some excellent signs with both bat and ball during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier event and should not be underestimated heading into this major tournament.

Gulshan’s natural game is to attack and his quickfire half-century against Ireland at the World Cup Qualifier showed the left-hander is capable of scoring plenty of lower-order runs.

Gulshan will also be asked to keep the scoring rate down when utilised during the middle overs of opposition innings and the right-arm seamer generally picks up a wicket or two and is a player of immense talent that could shine at the Asia Cup.

Bangladesh – Taskin Ahmed (MRF Tyres ODI Bowler Ranking: 44)

With fellow quick Ebadot Hossain ruled out of the tournament due to injury, Bangladesh will be looking to Taskin Ahmed to carry the bulk of their fast-bowling load.

And on recent form, we can expect Taskin to be up for the challenge as the lion-hearted quick continually performs well when required.

Taskin bowled consistently during Bangladesh’s recent tour of Afghanistan and the 28-year-old collected five wickets in his two most recent appearances in franchise cricket in Zimbabwe.

Afghanistan – Rashid Khan (MRF Tyres ODI Bowler Ranking: 4)

The Afghanistan ace remains one of the most talented spinners in the world and much of his team’s fortunes will rest on his shoulders at the Asia Cup.

While teams in the past have often just defended Rashid and looked to score off other bowlers, things may be different at this tournament with plenty of high totals and loads of runs predicted at the event.

That will play into Rashid’s hands and the 24-year-old is sure to delve deep into his bag of tricks to see how he can deceive opposition batters and claim valuable wickets for his country.

Sri Lanka – Maheesh Theekshana (MRF Tyres ODI Bowler Ranking: 20)

With question marks surrounding the fitness of star spinner Wanindu Hasaranga, there will be extra pressure on Theekshana to perform.

The right-armer showed he is in good form when he picked up 21 scalps at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier event and the reigning champions will be hoping the 23-year-old can perform just as well at this tournament.

Theekshana appeared to be in good touch during the recent Lanka Premier League when he collected seven wickets and opposition batters will need to be wary of the talented off-spinner at all times. (ICC)

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