Times News NetworkKanpur: Intermittent moderate to heavy rain, changing behaviour of the strips at Green Park and a forecast of more showers in the coming days have forced the UP T20 League governing council to shift the playoffs and final from Kanpur to the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.The decision was taken at a meeting of the UP T20 governing council on Monday. The remaining matches of the tournament, including the playoffs beginning September 3 and the final scheduled for September 6, will now be played in Lucknow as per the original schedule.Addressing the media, UP T20 governing council chairman Sanjay Kapoor said frequent evening showers are disrupting matches, while the forecast of more rain has prompted the organisers to shift the crucial games.“The continuous rain in the city is making it impossible to complete matches, thereby affecting the game and the players’ talent. In such a scenario, it is crucial that all teams receive an equal and fair opportunity to play the full 20 overs in important and decisive matches like the playoffs,” Kapoor said.He added that the weather forecast for the coming days indicated continued rainfall in Kanpur, leaving the governing council with little option but to shift the playoffs and final to Lucknow.“While taking this decision, our aim is to ensure that players get the opportunity to play full 20 overs in crucial matches like the playoffs. At the same time, we want spectators to enjoy uninterrupted cricket and teams to get a better platform to showcase their strategies and capabilities,” he said.Kapoor said the governing council has also taken into consideration the physical and mental fatigue faced by players because of repeated weather interruptions and matches extending late into the night.“In our view, all teams reaching the playoffs should have optimal conditions to perform to their full potential,” he added.However, the remaining three league matches will continue to be played at Green Park as per the existing schedule.Kanpur was originally scheduled to host 12 matches, including the playoffs and final. So far, only four of the five matches scheduled at the venue have been completed.Mohammad Faheem, chairman of the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association’s media committee, Sanjeev Kumar Singh, member of the UP T20 League governing council, and others were present at the media meet.
