The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) decided on Tuesday to keep the Asia Cup Super 4 and final matches in Colombo because the weather in the Sri Lankan capital had improved.
After severe rains drenched Colombo in recent days, it has been claimed that the Asia Cup's Super 4 and final games could be moved to Hambantota.
The PTI has learned that the ACC conferred with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), the hosts Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), and the official broadcaster before deciding to keep the matches in Colombo.
The broadcaster has also discussed the challenges of relocating its equipment and workers to Hambantota, a deep Southern area, on such short notice.
Advertisement
It was SLC who recommended Hambantota as an alternate venue for the five Asia Cup Super 4 matches and the final due to the city's recent drought.
The Sri Lanka leg of Super 4 will begin on September 10 with a game between India and Pakistan at the R Premadasa Stadium.
This will be India's second appearance in the Asia Cup against Pakistan.
The league encounter between the two teams was called off due to rain after India got 266 all out, with two fifties from Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya.
The ACC also toyed with the notion of moving the matches to Pallekele and Dambulla before abandoning it.
Advertisement
While heavy rains have fallen in Pallekele, the Rangiri International Stadium in Dambulla is being renovated to include new floodlights and other amenities.
Rain hampered both of India's group matches.
The much-anticipated India-Pakistan match at Kandy's Pallekele stadium was called off after one inning on Saturday due to heavy rain, and India's match versus Nepal on Monday was also shortened due to rain.
(With PTI inputs)
