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The 2023 Asia Cup will kick off in Multan on August 30 — a day sooner than originally planned — with Pakistan clashing in opposition to Nepal within the six-nation match’s opening match.
The match in Multan will even mark the return of the Asia Cup to Pakistan after 15 years because it prepares to co-host the match with Sri Lanka on the idea of a hybrid mannequin.
The mannequin was approved for the match by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) final month after the Board of Control for Cricket in India refused to ship its crew to the neighbouring nation for the match.
The ACC and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) introduced the schedule for the match right now, in line with which the 50-over occasion can be held from August 30 to September 17 with Pakistan staging 4 matches and Sri Lanka 9.
Four venues can be used for the 13-match match, a PCB press release stated, including that after the opening match in Multan, the remaining three matches in Pakistan can be held in Lahore.
Sri Lanka would use Kandy for the three first-round matches and Colombo for the 5 Super-4 stage fixtures and the September 17 ultimate, it stated.
The first Pakistan-India conflict is scheduled on September 2 in Kandy and if each groups advance to the Super-4 stage, their second faceoff will happen in Colombo on September 10.
Pakistan and India are seeded as A1 and A2, respectively, with Nepal because the third aspect in Group A, whereas Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are seeded as B1 and B2 in Group B, respectively, with Afghanistan because the third aspect.
If Nepal and Afghanistan progressed to the Super-4 stage from their respective teams, they’d take the seeding of the edges that had dropped out within the first spherical, the press launch stated.
‘Asia Cup homecoming’
With the schedule’s announcement, Zaka Ashraf, the chairman of the PCB’s interim management committee, said: “As event hosts, the ACC’s Asia Cup 2023 schedule announcement provides us absolute clarity on how we will plan and deliver this tournament so that it is enjoyable for the participants and the fans. Our arrangements and hospitality are second to none and this will be a great opportunity to once again showcase this at an international level.
“For Pakistan, it will be the homecoming of the ACC Asia Cup after 15 long years. Our fans have waited for this for a long time and, as such, we look forward to making it bigger and better so that the fans and participants can start counting down days leading up to the ICC Champions Trophy, which Pakistan will host in February 2025.”
In his statement included in the press release, Ashraf congratulated Nepal on qualifying for the Asia Cup and said he looked forward to welcoming them along with Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
“Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have previously played in Pakistan, it will be the first of many times for Nepal and Afghanistan, and I remain confident they will take away memories that will stay with them for a very long time.”
Moreover, he said, he was “extremely happy for the Multan fans who will be the host of the ACC Asia Cup 2023 opener and will see their national side in action in a multi-team tournament for the first time since 1994”.
“It remains one of my top priorities to ensure competitive cricket returns to historic venues across the country.
“From the Pakistan team’s perspective, it will be an excellent opportunity for them to play in high-profile pressure matches and also aim to reclaim the title they last won in 2012. They have all the potential and capability to do that and a strong performance in the Asia Cup will give them the encouragement and confidence for subsequent series and events,” the press release quoted him as saying.
The press release also carried a statement by ACC President and BCCI Secretary Jay Shah, who said: “We are thrilled to announce the highly anticipated Men’s ODI Asia Cup 2023, a celebration of cricketing excellence that unites the nations of Asia in the spirit of competition and camaraderie. As President of the Asian Cricket Council, I extend my warmest regards and heartfelt wishes to all participating teams.”
He added that the “Asia Cup holds a special place in the hearts of cricket enthusiasts across the continent”.
“It goes beyond being just a tournament; it symbolises the rich tapestry of cultures, traditions and shared passion for the game that binds our diverse nations together. This prestigious event not only showcases the cricketing prowess of the players but also fosters a sense of unity and brotherhood among Asian countries.
“Let the tournament be a celebration of cricket’s beauty, a display of sporting excellence and a reflection of the unity that binds our nations together. Together, let us witness cricketing magic unfold, as each match becomes a chapter in a larger narrative of friendship and sportsmanship,” Shah said.
Asia Cup hosting row
Today’s announcement of the Asia Cup schedule follows a row over the tournament’s hosting that began last year with India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan for the competition.
Pakistan responded by threatening to boycott the World Cup in India in October-November ought to they be compelled to stage all the Asia Cup abroad.
The stalemate was lastly resolved final month when the Asian Cricket Council accepted Pakistan’s hybrid-model resolution with matches cut up between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
India will now play their Asia Cup matches at impartial venues in Sri Lanka.
Meanwhile, Zaka Ashraf — who not too long ago changed Najam Sethi because the interim chief of the PCB administration committee and can also be the prime minister’s nominee for the PCB chairman — stated he would respect the hybrid mannequin agreed by his predecessor however on the identical time hinted that the choice to ship the crew to the World Cup can be taken after applicable consultations.
Previously, he additionally termed the hybrid mannequin an “injustice” and stated he’ll attempt to have it reviewed on changing into the PCB chief.
Schedule
Aug 30 – Pakistan v Nepal, Multan Cricket Stadium, Multan
Aug 31 – Bangladesh v Sri Lanka, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy, Sri Lanka
Sep 2 – Pakistan v India, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium Kandy, Sri Lanka
Sep 3 – Bangladesh v Afghanistan, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
Sep 4 – India v Nepal, Pallekele International Cricket stadium Kandy, Sri Lanka
Sep 5 – Afghanistan v Sri Lanka, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
Sep 6 – A1 v B2 (Super-4), Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
Sep 9 – B1 v B2 (Super-4), R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium (RPICS), Colombo, Sri Lanka
Sep 10 – A1 v A2 (Super-4), RPICS, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Sep 12 – A2 v B1 (Super-4), RPICS, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Sep 14 – A1 v B1 (Super-4), RPICS, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Sep 15 – A2 v B2, (Super-4), RPICS, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Sep 17 – Final – 1 v 2, RPICS, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Sep 18 – Reserve day for the final
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