NewKerala.com

Key Points

The upcoming Men's T20 Asia Cup has adjusted its match timings to combat extreme heat conditions in the UAE. Eighteen of nineteen matches will now start 30 minutes later to protect players from scorching temperatures. The tournament features eight teams, including India and Pakistan, competing in a format preparing for the 2026 T20 World Cup. India enters as defending champions, looking to maintain their winning momentum.

Key Points: Asia Cup 2023 Match Timings Adjusted for Extreme Heat

  • Asia Cup matches moved to 6:30 pm local time to avoid heat
  • Eight teams competing in T20 format for championship
  • India and Pakistan in Group A, set for high-stakes clash
  • Tournament final scheduled for September 29 in Dubai
2 min read

Asia Cup match timings delayed by 30 minutes amid extreme heat

T20 Asia Cup matches delayed by 30 minutes to combat UAE's scorching temperatures, impacting tournament schedule and team strategies.

"With daytime temperatures expected to touch 40s, all day-night fixtures have been revised - Tournament Organizers"

Dubai, Aug 30

18 of the 19 matches at the upcoming Men's T20 Asia Cup, including the final, will now begin at 6:30pm local time - half an hour later than originally scheduled - to avoid sweltering heat conditions in the region.

With daytime temperatures in the UAE expected to touch 40s in September, as per the predictions by weather forecasters, it has led to all day-night fixtures in the eight-team competition being revised from 7:30 pm IST (6 pm local time) to 8 pm IST (6:30 pm local time).

The only game unaffected by the change is the lone day fixture between UAE and Oman on September 15 at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi, starting on 5:30 pm IST (4 pm local time).

The tournament will open on September 9 in Abu Dhabi, with Afghanistan facing Hong Kong in the curtain-raiser of the eight-team competition. Dubai will host 11 games, including the final on September 29 while Abu Dhabi will host eight matches.

India, Pakistan, UAE and Oman are placed in Group A while Group B comprises Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Hong Kong. It's also the first time the Asia Cup, to be held in the T20I format, keeping in mind the preparation of teams for the 2026 Men's T20 World Cup, will have eight teams.

India will play its Group A games against the UAE and the high-stakes clash against Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on September 10 and 14 respectively while its clash against Oman is slated to happen at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on September 19.

The top two teams from each group will proceed to the Super Fours stage, with the top two facing each other in the title clash to decide the winner of the 17th edition of the Asia Cup. India are the defending champions of the Asia Cup, having beaten Sri Lanka in the 2023 final held in the 50-over format in Colombo. Sri Lanka had won the Asia Cup in the T20I version after beating Pakistan in the final in 2022.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Only 30 minutes? Should have pushed it to at least 7 PM local time. Players will still be dealing with extreme heat during the first few overs. Safety first!
A
Aman W
Smart move! The dew factor will come into play later in the evening, which might actually make the matches more interesting. Can't wait for the India-Pakistan match! 🔥
S
Sarah B
As someone who attended matches in Dubai last year, this is much needed. The heat was unbearable even in the evenings. Good call by the organizers!
V
Vikram M
Now matches will end even later for Indian viewers. Already tough for working people to watch complete matches on weekdays. But player safety comes first I guess.
K
Karthik V
Should have scheduled the tournament in October instead. September in UAE is always brutal. Anyway, hope our boys are preparing well for the conditions. Jai Hind! 🏏

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50