ASIA CUP 2023: ACC Approved PCB's Hybrid Model

The official dates and locations for the 2023 Asia Cup have been announced. The tournament will be held in Pakistan and Sri Lanka from August 31 to September 17. However, the detailed schedule is yet to be released.

Originally planned to be hosted entirely in Pakistan, the tournament had to adopt a hybrid model due to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) stating that India would not travel to Pakistan. According to the approved hybrid model by the Asian Cricket Council, four out of the 13 matches will be played in Pakistan, while the remaining nine will take place in Sri Lanka.

This marks the first time since 2008 that a multi-nation tournament will feature matches in Pakistan. Najam Sethi, chair of the PCB management committee, expressed his delight at the acceptance of the hybrid version for the ACC Asia Cup 2023. He acknowledged that while fans would have loved to see the Indian cricket team play in Pakistan for the first time in 15 years, the decision was understandable considering the BCCI's requirement of government approval and clearance before crossing borders.

The 2023 edition of the Asia Cup will include India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Nepal, divided into two groups. Two teams from each group will qualify for the Super Four stage, and the top two teams from the Super Four stage will compete in the final. The matches will be played in the 50-over format, serving as preparation for the ODI World Cup scheduled in India for October-November.

The hybrid model was proposed as a solution to address the strained political relations between India and Pakistan, as India declined to tour Pakistan. The PCB, as the host, was keen on ensuring that at least a part of the tournament was held in Pakistan. While the UAE was considered as a neutral venue, concerns were raised by Bangladesh regarding the extreme weather conditions there in September.

The defending champions are Sri Lanka, although the 2022 event was played in the 20-over format. The last 50-over Asia Cup took place in 2018 in the UAE, where India emerged victorious against Bangladesh in a thrilling final.