Asia Cup to be Hosted in Multiple Countries: No Indian Match will be in Pakistan, Final in Sri Lanka
Currently, the Asia Cup will be held in a hybrid model in Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) announced the venue for the ongoing season of the tournament on Thursday. The final match of this tournament, scheduled between August 31 and September 17, will take place in Sri Lanka. The ACC has not mentioned the names of the cities in the announced venue list.
Pakistan and Sri Lanka Will Host 4 Matches in the Upcoming Asia Cup
The Asia Cup will consist of 4 matches in Pakistan, while Sri Lanka will host 9 matches. The tournament involves 6 teams divided into two groups, with each group sending two teams to the Super-4 round. The team that tops the Super-4 round will play the final match.
Which Matches Will Be Held in Pakistan?
In the Asia Cup, the initial group stage will feature four matches in Pakistan, including Pakistan vs Nepal from one group, and Afghanistan vs Bangladesh and Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka from the other group, along with Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka match.
Which Matches Will Be Held in Sri Lanka?
In Sri Lanka, the group stage will feature matches between India vs Pakistan and India vs Nepal. Following this, the top 2 ranked teams from each group will advance to the Super-4 stage. All the matches of the Super-4 round and the final will also be held in Sri Lanka.
The Tournament Remained Controversial and Surrounded by Controversies
The current season of the Asia Cup is surrounded by controversies. The responsibility for organizing the tournament was given to Pakistan by the ACC, but Jay Shah, the BCCI Secretary and ACC President, did not allow the Indian team to travel to Pakistan. In this situation, Pakistan refused to participate in the World Cup as a retaliatory measure.
Learn About the Controversy Surrounding the Asia Cup
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has awarded the hosting rights of the upcoming 2023 Asia Cup to Pakistan. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) clearly stated when announcing the schedule that the Indian team would not be going to Pakistan to play in the tournament. The BCCI expressed its preference for hosting the Asia Cup at a neutral venue, but the Pakistan Cricket Board did not agree.
Pakistan proposed hosting the tournament on a hybrid model, where matches involving India would be held in other countries, while the remaining matches would take place in Pakistan. If India reaches the final, it would be held outside Pakistan as well.
Conclusion
The Asian Cricket Council has selected Sri Lanka as the host country for the final match of the Sri Lanka-Pakistan cricket tournament. This decision considers Sri Lanka’s cricketing heritage, infrastructure, geographical advantages, favorable weather conditions, and passionate fan base. With these factors in mind, Sri Lanka promises to deliver an exceptional cricketing experience for players and spectators, solidifying its reputation as an ideal destination for hosting major cricket events.
