The 2023 edition of the Asia Cup will start from August 30 in Pakistan. Due to the Indian government’s stance amid political tension between the two neighboring nations, the BCCI and the PCB agreed on a hybrid model for the continental tournament. While Pakistan was the main host, having obtained the rights earlier, India’s decision not to send their team to Pakistan led to Sri Lanka being chosen as an alternative venue with the agreement that Lahore and Multan will host four matches against each other. while the remainder of the tournament will be played on the island nation. With still a fortnight to go before the tournament kicks off in Multan, BCCI Secretary and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Chairman Jay Shah has been invited by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to attend the opening match between Pakistan and Nepal.
According to a report in PTI, PCB revealed that in addition to Shah, the heads of other ACC cricket bodies have also been invited for the match. In fact, a better-informed PCB source added that the invitation was sent to the ACC chief with more hope than any realistic expectation that he would visit Pakistan.
“The PCB has basically followed the invitation that President Zaka Ashraf verbally extended to Jay Shah when the two met in Durban for the ICC meeting,” the source said.
The report added that PCB bosses were red-faced after Shah revealed that he accepted the invitation, contrary to claims by Pakistani media. “The PCB was obviously embarrassed after Pakistani media reported that Jay Shah had accepted Zaka Ashraf’s invitation and the Indian junta official later flatly denied it,” he said.
The 2023 Asia Cup will be played between August 30 and September 17 in four venues. In Pakistan, four matches will be staged, one in Multan and another three at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, including two group stage matches and one knockout match. In Sri Lanka, Pallekele and Colombo will be the two venues.
India will open their campaign from September 2 against arch-rivals Pakistan at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium and will play their second group match against Nepal at the same venue two days later.
Colombo’s R Premadasa Stadium will host five of the six Super Four matches between September 9-14 before the tournament concludes with the final on September 17.
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