The Asia Cup 2023 fixtures have been announced by the Asian Cricket Council. The dates and venues have been confirmed after much controversy for Asia Cup 2023 with the Pakistan vs India fixture featuring a slight tweak.
In a recent update, the dates and venues for the highly-anticipated 2023 Asia Cup have been officially confirmed. The tournament will be jointly hosted by Pakistan and Sri Lanka, taking place between August 31 and September 17. However, there have been slight tweaks to the original schedule, most notably the match between Pakistan and India, which will now be held on September 2 in Kandy, a day earlier than planned.
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What is the hybrid model for Asia Cup 2023?
To navigate the political tensions between India and Pakistan, the Asia Cup 2023 will adopt a unique hybrid model. This model involves staging matches across different countries, considering the Indian government's hesitance to allow the cricket team to travel to Pakistan due to the ongoing political tensions. The hybrid model aims to ensure the successful execution of the tournament while accommodating the geopolitical challenges faced by the participating nations.
Najam Sethi, Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), expressed his elation upon the acceptance of the hybrid version for the ACC Asia Cup 2023. He emphasized that the PCB would remain as the event host, with matches being played in Pakistan, while Sri Lanka would serve as the neutral venue. Sethi acknowledged the BCCI's position, understanding that both boards require government approval before crossing borders. He expressed regret that Indian fans would not witness the India cricket team playing in Pakistan for the first time in 15 years.
“Our passionate fans would have loved to see the India cricket team in action in Pakistan for the first time in 15 years, but we understand the BCCI's position. Like the PCB, the BCCI also requires government approval and clearance before crossing borders,” Sethi commented last month.
Asia Cup 2023 Format
The tournament will feature a total of 13 matches, played in the 50-overs format. The teams have been divided into two groups. Group A consists of Pakistan, India, and Nepal, while Group B includes Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the Super Four stage, where they will compete for a spot in the final. The Asia Cup 2023 serves as crucial preparation for the ODI World Cup, scheduled to begin in India on October 5, 2023.
| Asia Cup 2023 Fixtures | ||
| DATE | GROUP STAGE | VENUE |
| 30-Aug | PAKISTAN v NEPAL | MULTAN, PAK |
| 31-Aug | BANGLADESH v SRI LANKA | KANDY, SL |
| 2-SEP | PAKISTAN v INDIA | KANDY, SL |
| 3-SEP | BANGLADESH v AFGHANISTAN | LAHORE, PAK |
| 04-Sep | INDIA v NEPAL | KANDY, SL |
| 5-SEP | AFGHANISTAN v SRI LANKA | LAHORE, PAK |
| SUPER 4s | ||
| 6-SEP | A1 v B2 | LAHORE, PAK |
| 9-SEP | B1 v B2 | COLOMBO, SL |
| 10-SEP | A1 v A2 | COLOMBO, SL |
| 12-SEP | A2 v B1 | COLOMBO, SL |
| 14-Sep | A1 v B1 | COLOMBO, SL |
| 15-SEP | A2 v B2 | COLOMBO, SL |
| 17-SEP | FINAL | COLOMBO, SL |
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Pakistan vs India in Asia Cup 2023
The original schedule drafted by the PCB has undergone several iterations to accommodate the hybrid model. Initially, Pakistan was set to host four matches in a single city, but Multan was added as a venue following a change in PCB administration. The tournament will commence in Multan, with the hosts Pakistan playing against Nepal. Lahore will host three matches and one Super Four game, while the final is scheduled to be held in Colombo on September 17.
The adoption of the hybrid model for the Asia Cup 2023 showcases the commitment to hosting a successful tournament despite the geopolitical challenges between India and Pakistan. Cricket fans can look forward to an exciting competition featuring top Asian teams, with matches played in both Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The revised schedule ensures fair play and allows teams to prepare for the upcoming ODI World Cup, adding further significance to the Asia Cup.
According to the revised schedule, Kandy will host the Pakistan vs India fixture in Asia Cup 2023 on September 2.
Recent history of the Asia Cup
Sri Lanka holds the prestigious title of defending champions in the Asia Cup, having secured victory in the previous edition of the tournament. However, it's worth noting that the 2022 event deviated from tradition by adopting the fast-paced 20-over format. To witness the last occurrence of the 50-over Asia Cup, we must cast our minds back to 2018 when an electrifying final saw India emerge triumphant in a thrilling clash against Bangladesh, etching their name in the annals of cricketing history.
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
Looking back at the last Asia Cup held in 2018, which took place in the United Arab Emirates, it was India who emerged victorious in a nail-biting final against Bangladesh. The high-stakes encounter had fans on the edge of their seats as India showcased their prowess and ultimately triumphed to claim the title. The thrilling finale served as a reminder of the intense competition and captivating moments that the Asia Cup has consistently delivered over the years.
