The Asia Cup is scheduled to have three possible matches between arch-rivals India and Pakistan, taking place on September 2 and 10 during the group stage and possibly in the final on September 17, given certain conditions.
Both teams are grouped with Nepal in a three-team group, making a Super 4 clash between them on September 10 highly likely, after India starts their campaign against Babar Azam’s team eight days earlier, led by Rohit Sharma. Since they are considered heavyweight teams in the continent, a third encounter between them in the final is also a possibility.
The significant group and Super 4 clashes will be held at designated venues in Sri Lanka, specifically in Kandy and Colombo. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to use four venues instead of three, as initially planned. India’s matches are scheduled for September 4 (against Nepal in the group stage), September 12 (against Sri Lanka or Afghanistan in the Super 4), and September 15 (against Bangladesh or Afghanistan in the Super 4).
The second hosting venue in Sri Lanka is Colombo, where games will take place at the R Premadasa Stadium. The championship starts in Multan on August 30 with a match between Pakistan and Nepal, and Lahore will host the remaining three games allotted to Pakistan, including a Super 4 match. In total, Sri Lanka will host nine games.
One notable feature of the schedule is that there will be no semifinals, meaning India’s other crucial matches will be on September 12 against Sri Lanka and September 15 against Bangladesh, both in the Super 4 stage. However, if Afghanistan qualifies for the Super 4 stage by outperforming Sri Lanka or Bangladesh, one of India’s matches could be against Afghanistan. As mentioned earlier, India’s group-stage game against Nepal will be held on September 4 in Kandy.
The Sri Lanka leg of the championship begins on August 31 in Kandy with a match between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Afghanistan will kick off their campaign against Bangladesh in Lahore on September 3, while Pakistan will play two games at home, one of which could be a potential Super 4 clash against Bangladesh or Afghanistan.
Jay Shah, the BCCI secretary and president of the Asian Cricket Council, expressed excitement about the Men’s ODI Asia Cup 2023, considering it a celebration of cricketing excellence uniting the nations of Asia in the spirit of competition and camaraderie. Zaka Ashraf, the chair of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), also welcomed the tournament after a long wait and looked forward to making it a grand event leading up to the ICC Champions Trophy, which Pakistan will host in February 2025.
Here is the complete Asia Cup schedule:
Group A: India, Pakistan, and Nepal
Group B: Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan
Fixtures:
August 30: Pakistan vs. Nepal in Multan
August 31: Bangladesh vs. Sri Lanka in Kandy
September 2: Pakistan vs. India in Kandy
September 3: Bangladesh vs. Afghanistan in Lahore
September 4: India vs. Nepal in Kandy
September 5: Afghanistan vs. Sri Lanka in Lahore
September 6: Pakistan/Nepal vs. Bangladesh/Afghanistan (Super 4)
September 9: Sri Lanka/Afghanistan vs. Bangladesh/Afghanistan in Colombo (Super 4)
September 10: India/Nepal vs. Pakistan/Nepal in Colombo (Super 4)
September 12: India/Nepal vs. Sri Lanka/Afghanistan in Colombo (Super 4)
September 15: India/Nepal vs. Bangladesh/Afghanistan in Colombo (Super 4)
September 17: FINAL
