Pakistan, India Asia Cup clash set for Sep 2
Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Zaka Ashraf and cricketers Wahab Riaz and Muhammad Hafeez unveil the Asia Cup 2023 trophy during a ceremony in Lahore. PHOTO: AFP
Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Jay Shah on Wednesday took to Twitter to announce that the 2023 Asia Cup would take place in Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
The tournament, which was initially planned to begin on Aug 31, would now kick off on Aug 30, with Pakistan taking on Nepal in the opening match in Multan.
This year's Asia Cup will be played in the 50-overs format, featuring 13 matches.
In Group A, Pakistan will lock horns with arch-rivals India and Nepal, while Group B will have Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan.
The top two teams from each group will progress to the Super Four stage, where they will vie for a spot in the final. The tournament's final is slated for Sept 17 in Colombo.
On Sept 3, Bangladesh will square off against Afghanistan in Lahore, followed by Sri Lanka facing Afghanistan at the Gaddafi Stadium on Sept 5. Irrespective of where they finish in the first round, Pakistan will retain the A1 spot, India the A2 spot, Sri Lanka will be B1 and Bangladesh B2.
The only Super 4s match listed to take place in Pakistan is on Sept 6, including Group A (A1) winners and Group B (B2) runners-up.
If Pakistan and India both secure spots in the Super Four stage, fans can expect another exciting encounter on Sept 10 in Colombo.
Schedule:
Pakistan will face Nepal at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Aug 30.
Bangladesh will play against Sri Lanka at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy, Sri Lanka on Aug 31.
Pakistan and India will go at it at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Sept 2.
Bangladesh will take on Afghanistan at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Sept 3.
India versus Nepal will take place at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Sept 4.
Afghanistan against Sri Lanka will be on Sept 5 at the Gaddafi Stadium.
A1 versus B2 (Super-4) will be played at the Gaddafi Stadium on Sept 6.
B1 v B2 (Super-4) will be held at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium (RPICS), Colombo, Sri Lanka on Sept 9.
A1 versus A2 (Super-4) at the RPICS on Sept 10.
A2 versus B1 (Super-4) on Sept 12.
A1 versus B1 (Super-4) on Sept 14.
A2 versus B2 (Super-4) on Sept 15.
One versus two on Sept 17.
Final match will be played on Sept 18.