Asia Cup 2023: Both Sri Lanka And Pakistan Will Host The Tournament Under ‘Hybrid Model’: The schedule for the 16th Asia Cup has been revealed, with Pakistan hosting four matches and Sri Lanka hosting the nine games. The event will begin on August 31 and end on September 17. The tournament will begin with four matches in Pakistan, with the ACC agreeing to a hybrid concept. They will then proceed to Sri Lanka for the last nine matches. All of which will be contested in the ODI format this year.
The Asia Cup 2023 will feature six teams: India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. At last, Nepal, which qualified for the first time this year. This year’s event will feature two groups of three teams each, with the top two advancing to the Super Four stage. The Super Four’s top two teams will then compete in the final on September 17.
One group includes India, Pakistan, and Nepal, while the other includes Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. Nepal qualified for the main competition after defeating UAE in the ACC Men’s Premier Cup final of the ACC Men’s Premier Cup earlier this year in Kathmandu.
Sri Lanka is the defending champion, having defeated Pakistan in the final last year in the United Arab Emirates. Lahore will host matches in Pakistan, while Kandy and Pallekele will host games in Sri Lanka.
According to Cricbuzz, India and Pakistan would be drawn in the same group. Potentially resulting in three meetings between the arch rivals.
Cricket Pakistan claimed that Pakistan’s games against Nepal and Bangladesh. As well as Afghanistan and Sri Lanka, will most likely be played in Lahore.
Also Read: Asia Cup 2023: All Teams Predicted Squad For The Tournament
Why Hybrid Model Was Introduced In Asia Cup 2023
Owing of the tense political relations between the countries. They only face each other in multi-team events, India had ruled out flying to Pakistan for the tournament.
In response, Pakistan threatened to boycott the ODI World Cup 2023 in India if the Asia Cup was forced to be held in another nation.
After three months of discussions, debates, and other activities. Both nations agreed to a hybrid arrangement in which some games would be played in Pakistan and others in Sri Lanka. Except for India, Pakistan will play all of his group matches in Pakistan, along with four additional matches.
The ratification of the Asia Cup schedule also ensures that Pakistan will go to India for the ODI World Cup in October-November. On October 15, the arch-rivals will square off in the world’s largest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad.
