Asia Cup schedule: It could be 3 India-Pak games in 15 days
The Pakan Cricket Board announced the fixtures of the Asia Cup via a press conference on Wednesday with the India vs Pakan encounter scheduled for September 2 in Kandy, Sri Lanka. The arch rivals, who’ve slotted in Group A alongside Nepal may possibly face each other three times in 15 days upon progression to the Super 4 and the final.
The tournament will begin on August 30 and run until September 17.
Earlier in June, The Asian Cricket Council had announced the schedule of the hybrid model Asia Cup with four matches being held in Pakan, and the remaining nine matches being played in Sri Lanka.
Bilateral cricket has been a victim of strained political ties between India and Pakan over the last decade and a half and the neighbouring countries now play each other only in multi-team events at neutral venues.
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. @ACCMedia1 pic.twitter.com/9uPgx6intP
— Jay Shah (@JayShah) July 19, 2023
The Indian board had cited safety concerns and has ruled out travelling to Pakan for the Asia Cup in September, which prompted the PCB to offer India the option of playing their matches in the United Arab Emirates in what has been dubbed a “hybrid model”.
India, Pakan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanan and Nepal will participate in the tournament which has a total of 13 ODI matches.
The tournament will feature two groups of three teams apiece this year with the top two making it to the Super Four stage.
The top two teams of the Super Four then play the final on September 17.
India, Pakan and Nepal are in one group while Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanan form the other.
