A state of emergency has been declared in Fort Lauderdale due to life-threatening flash floods in Florida. Local authorities have grounded hundreds of flights to and from South Florida airports, stranding the Sri Lankan cricket team currently participating in the T20 World Cup. Fort Lauderdale is one of three U.S. venues scheduled to host T20 World Cup matches, including key games involving India, Pakistan, and the USA. The first match in the city, Sri Lanka vs. Nepal, was also washed out due to heavy rain around the stadium.
‘Preliminary reports suggest that the rainfall and flooding have impacted, and may continue to affect, the operational capacity of critical infrastructure, including major interstates, state and county roads, airports, schools, and other essential services across these counties,’ stated Ron DeSantis, the governor of Florida, in the declaration.
Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis has declared a state of emergency.
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Upon signing this emergency declaration, I spoke with Kevin Guthrie, the state Director of Emergency Management, who has pledged to allocate any available resources from his agency to assist in our recovery efforts. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission will also be sending… pic.twitter.com/adJeLUGwFi
— Mayor Dean J. Trantalis (@DeanTrantalis) June 12, 2024
The Sri Lankan team was scheduled to depart from Fort Lauderdale to the Caribbean islands on Wednesday. However, their departure has been delayed due to heavy rain and flooding.
Floods in Florida has left Sri Lankan team stranded in US. The team was supposed to fly out from Fort Lauderdale this evening to Caribbean, but now are staying back in US. A state of emergency has been issued by Mayor of Fort Lauderdale. The team is expected to fly out tomorrow.
— Rex Clementine (@RexClementine) June 13, 2024
Sri Lanka will face the Netherlands in their final group game at St Lucia on Monday, June 17. Having lost two of their three matches, they still hold a slim chance of advancing to the Super 8 stage.
The “Qudrat Ka Nizam” is working to eliminate Pakistan from the tournament 😂🤣pic.twitter.com/kJlt46UcNQ
— CrickSachin (@Sachin_Gandhi7) June 13, 2024
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Could Pakistan Face Disqualification Due to ‘State of Emergency’?
Meanwhile, Central Broward Regional Park in Fort Lauderdale will host crucial games this week, with both Pakistan and the USA competing for a spot in the next round from Group A.
On Friday, the USA faces Ireland, followed by Pakistan’s match against Ireland on Sunday. If the USA defeats Ireland or the game is washed out, the USA will advance to the Super 8, joining India as the second team from Group A. In the event of a washout, both the USA and Ireland will receive one point each, bringing the USA to a total of five points, which would be more than Pakistan’s maximum possible four points.
If the USA vs. Ireland game in Florida is abandoned due to rain, Pakistan’s game on Sunday will be irrelevant as they will be knocked out.
If the USA loses to Ireland, Pakistan will have the opportunity to determine their own fate when they play against Ireland on Sunday.
India remains at the top of Group A with six points from three games, boasting a net run rate (NRR) of +1.137. Led by Rohit Sharma, the team has secured a place in the Super 8 stage. USA holds onto the second position with four points from three games, although their NRR has declined to +0.127. Pakistan receives encouraging news as their NRR now surpasses that of USA, marking a significant development.
Pakistan could potentially advance to the T20 World Cup 2024 Super Eight stage by narrowly defeating Ireland in their upcoming Group A match on Sunday, contingent upon USA losing to the same team on Friday.
