In a much-anticipated showdown, India and Sri Lanka are set to clash in the Asia Cup 2023 final, marking their first major tournament title match since the 2014 T20 World Cup. The event is scheduled for Sunday, September 17, in Colombo.
Despite weather concerns in the past week, all Super 4s matches in Colombo saw results, thanks to the commendable efforts of the R Premadasa Stadium's ground staff. Their dedication ensured that rain interruptions didn't lead to game abandonments. This commitment is expected to continue for the grand finale.
Weather watch for the final:
AccuWeather predicts a cloudy day in Colombo with sporadic thunderstorms. Thunder is anticipated at multiple intervals, notably at 10 am, 1 pm, 6 pm, 8 pm, and 10 pm local time. The match is slated to begin at 3 pm local time. Meanwhile, the BBC's weather forecast indicates a 70% chance of rain at 7:30 pm local time.
Should the weather play spoilsport, a reserve day is in place for Monday. This provision was utilized during the India vs Pakistan Super 4s match, which was extended to the reserve day after only 24.1 overs were played.
Team Insights:
India, under Rohit's leadership, last clinched the Asia Cup title in 2018 in a nail-biting match against Bangladesh. They showcased dominance by defeating Pakistan but faced a setback with a 6-run loss to Bangladesh in the Super 4s.
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, has been in stellar form, winning 13 of their last 14 matches. Their recent last-ball victory against Pakistan in the semi-final has boosted their confidence. With home advantage and a potential full house at the R Premadasa Stadium, they are poised for a strong performance.
