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The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has approved the hybrid model for the Asia Cup 2023. Hence, two countries, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, will host the upcoming continental mega cricketing tournament. The model was proposed by the designated hosts, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), and it has been accepted at the ACC meeting. As the Asia Cup will return to Pakistan after 15 years, the PCB will host four matches, whereas Sri Lanka will host nine matches.
As per the official media release by the ACC, the tournament is all set to commence on August 31 and the final will take place on September 17. With the latest announcement, the continental cricket board has fulfilled the demands of both India and Pakistan cricket teams. While Pakistan did not wish to give up on their hosting rights, Indian authorities had denied sending the Indian cricket team across the borders citing security concerns. The upcoming tournament will be played in the ODI format and teams will utilise it to prepare for the ODI World Cup 2023, slated to be hosted in India later this year.
ACC released an official media release that read, “We are delighted to announce that the Asia Cup 2023 will be held from 31st August to 17th September 2023 and will see the elite teams from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Nepal, compete in a total of 13 exciting ODI matches. The tournament will be hosted in a hybrid model with four matches being held in Pakistan, and the remaining nine matches being played in Sri Lanka." The statement further reaffirmed, " The 2023 Edition will feature two groups, with two teams from each group qualifying for the Super Four stage. The top two teams from the Super Four stage will then face off in the final."
The ACC meeting was headed by Jay Shah, who is also the head of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and divided the participating teams into two groups. Two teams will reach the Super Four stage, and finally, the top two teams will clash in the Final.
