On September 2, Kandy, Sri Lanka, will host the eagerly anticipated match between India and Pakistan at the Asia Cup.
The Asia Cup 2023 schedule was launched by Jay Shah, BCCI secretary and president of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC). Following Shah’s announcement that India will not be attending the event in Pakistan last year, the competition is now being played using a hybrid concept. On August 30, a game between Pakistan and Nepal will kick off the competition in Multan, Pakistan. The eagerly anticipated India-Pakistan matchup will be on September 2 in Kandy. The second group stage match will take place against Nepal on September 4 at the same location.
Pakistan will be the host for three stage matches in groups category and one Super Four stage match. Hereafter the remaining matches will be hosted by Sri Lanka. The final will be held in Colombo on September 17.
ACC president Jay Shah tweeted: “I am happy to announce the schedule for the highly anticipated Men’s ODI #AsiaCup2023, a symbol of unity and togetherness binding diverse nations together! Let’s join hands in the celebration of cricketing excellence and cherish the bonds that connect us all”.
The top two teams from each group will advance to the Super Four stage in the 2023 edition, which will include two groups. Every team will play every other team once during the Super Four stage. The final will then feature the top two teams from the Super Four stage.
If results go that way, there is a chance that India and Pakistan may play each other three times during the Asia Cup. India and Pakistan must first advance to the Super 4 level for that to occur. Then, if they win that stage, they will compete against one another once more in the final.
India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Nepal will be the fronting teams for the tournament.
The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) stated last month that four matches will be hosted in Pakistan and nine in Sri Lanka with the event to be conducted from August 31 to September 17. This follows the acceptance of the hybrid model by all stakeholders, including the PCB and BCCI.
The ACC members, including India, endorsed the hybrid model that Najam Sethi, the PCB’s disbanded cricket management committee chairman, had recommended.
