ISLAMABAD: The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) is expected to greenlight the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) proposed hybrid model for the Asia Cup 2023, with Sri Lanka chosen as the neutral venue.
According to reports from the Indian news agency Press Trust of India, the ACC is likely to approve the model that allows Pakistan to host only four matches of the tournament, while the rest will be held in Sri Lanka.
An ACC board member told the news agency on the condition of anonymity that Oman Cricket board chief Pankaj Khimji was tasked with finding a solution after several countries expressed their reluctance towards the hybrid model. The source stated, “As of now, four non-India games, including Pakistan vs Nepal, Bangladesh vs Afghanistan, Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka, and Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh, will be played at Lahore’s Gadaffi Stadium. The two India vs Pakistan matches and all other Super Four games will take place in either Pallekele or Galle.”
Asia Cup 2023: ACC Likely to Formally Announce Venue on Tuesday
The ACC is expected to make a formal announcement regarding the approved format on Tuesday. The Asia Cup 2023 is scheduled to take place from September 1 to 17, with the matches in Pakistan set to be held in Lahore. Once the hybrid model is approved for the Asia Cup, there are possibilities for Pakistan to travel to India for this year’s World Cup.
The Asia Cup will be a 50-over event, serving as preparation for the ODI World Cup. Group 1 of the tournament will include Pakistan, India, and Nepal, while defending champions Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan will make up Group 2. The top two teams from each group will advance to the Super Four stage, following the format used in last year’s edition.
It is worth noting that the PCB proposed the hybrid model after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) declined to send their team to Pakistan for the Asia Cup. Bilateral series between India and Pakistan have been scarce due to strained relations between the two countries, with the last one taking place in 2012 when Pakistan toured India for limited-overs matches. In recent years, the arch-rivals have only faced each other in ICC and ACC events.
