With certain circumstances met, the Asia Cup will feature three potential clashes between archrivals India and Pakistan, on September 2 and 10, and maybe in the final on September 17.
Both teams are in a three-team group with lightweights Nepal, making a Super 4 showdown on September 10 quite likely, after the Rohit Sharma-led side begins their Asia Cup campaign eight days earlier against Babar Azam’s outfit. As the continent’s two heavyweight teams, a third meeting in the final is a possibility.
The large, important group matches and Super 4 matches will be played in Kandy and Colombo, both in Sri Lanka. The six-team championship’s designated host, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), has announced that there would now be four games instead of the initially anticipated three. September 4 (group stage match vs. Nepal), September 12 (Super 4 match vs. Sri Lanka/Afghanistan), and September 15 (Super 4 match vs. Bangladesh/Afghanistan) are India’s game dates. The R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo serves as Sri Lanka’s second hosting location for this Asia Cup. The first match of the championship, a Pakistan-Nepal encounter, will take place in Multan on August 30, while the final three Pakistani games, including a Super 4 match in the second round, will be played in Lahore. Nine games will be held in Sri Lanka altogether.
It is noteworthy that the event won’t operate on a caravan format, with teams moving back and forth between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, as stated in the schedule, which was unveiled by Jay Shah, head of the Asian Cricket Council. For logistical needs, the ACC will schedule both charter and commercial planes.
Due to the lack of semifinals, India’s other important matches—both in the Super 4 stage—will be against Bangladesh on September 15 and Sri Lanka on September 12. If they manage to outperform Sri Lanka or Bangladesh and get to the Super 4 phase, one of these games may be against Afghanistan. India’s group-stage match versus Nepal is set for September 4 in Kandy, as was previously announced.
On August 31, a game between the local team and Bangladesh will kick off the Sri Lanka phase of the competition in Kandy. On September 3, Afghanistan will begin their campaign against Bangladesh in Lahore. Pakistan, the hosts, will play two home games, one of which might be a Super 4 matchup against Bangladesh or Afghanistan. The eagerly awaited Men’s ODI Asia Cup 2023, a celebration of cricketing prowess that brings the Asian nations together in the spirit of rivalry and togetherness, has just been announced. The BCCI secretary, Jay Shah, said, “I convey my warmest regards and best wishes to all participating teams as president of the Asian Cricket Council.
The Asia Cup 2023 schedule announcement from the ACC gives us complete clarity on how we will plan and execute this tournament so that it is entertaining for the competitors and the fans, said Zaka Ashraf, the chair of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). “After 15 long years, Pakistan will finally host the ACC Asia Cup. Since our supporters have been waiting for this for a while, we’re excited to make it larger and better so that everyone can start counting down the days till Pakistan hosts the ICC Champions Trophy in February 2025.”