Former Pakistan captain Azhar Ali has urged the International Cricket Council (ICC) to shift matches from Florida due to severe flood warning in the state.
Pakistan will be playing their final group match with Ireland on Sunday (June 16) at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium in Lauderhill. The final three matches of Group A will be hosted in Florida as the teams are all set to fight to secure a spot in the Super Eight.
India have qualified for the next stage of the tournament from Group A. However, Pakistan and the USA are still striving for a spot in the next stage of the tournament.
Additionally, the USA will be facing Ireland on Friday (June 14) but heavy thunderstorms are forecasted for the whole week. If this match washes out, Pakistan would be out as both the USA and Ireland will be sharing the points, and the USA will qualify for the Super Eight, which is not beneficial for the Green Shirts.
While talking on a local news channel, Azhar asked ICC to consider shifting these games.
"Viewing the circumstances in Florida, it is looking like the matches won't take place. ICC must take action, knowing many matches will get affected and shift to another venue," he said.
"Even if two matches take place at a single venue. I am sure the teams involved would have contacted ICC, asking to shift the games," he added.
Azhar added that already ICC are under severe criticism for bad pitches at New York's Nassau County International Cricket Stadium and they must take action quickly.
"ICC need to take quick action and I am sure logistically, it would not be difficult. There will be questions on ICC if no matches take place in Florida. Already, there are questions on the pitch standards in New York," he maintained.
Remember, the match between USA and Ireland, which begins at 10:30am local time on June 14, is likely to be affected by continuous rain in Florida.
Weather forecast in Lauderhill, Florida, on June 14
• 10 AM: 27°C (64% chance of rain)
• 11 AM: 28°C (70% chance of rain)
• 12 PM: 27°C (68% chance of rain)
• 1 PM: 28°C (65% chance of rain)
• 2 PM: 28°C (61% chance of rain)
