The much-awaited 2023 Asia Cup is set to kick off on August 30, with Pakistan and India facing off on September 2 in a thrilling match in Kandy. The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) recently announced a change in the schedule, advancing the start date by a day, sparking excitement among cricket fans. The tournament, following a hybrid model, will see six nations battling it out in Pakistan and Sri Lanka. As teams gear up for the 50-overs format, the Asia Cup serves as crucial preparation for the upcoming ODI World Cup in India, offering a captivating spectacle of cricketing prowess.
ESPNcricinfo has obtained the latest version of the draft schedule, which is subject to potential changes before the ACC finalizes the official itinerary. Initially prepared by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the schedule has undergone multiple iterations to accommodate the unique hosting arrangement.
The tournament will feature a total of 13 matches, with all games scheduled to start at 1 pm Pakistan Standard Time (1:30 pm Sri Lanka Standard Time and Indian Standard Time). Pakistan, India, and Nepal are grouped in Group A, while Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan form Group B. The top two teams from each group will progress to the Super Four stage, with the two best-performing teams advancing to the grand final.
The tournament opener will take place in Multan, with hosts Pakistan facing Nepal in what promises to be an enthralling encounter. Lahore, another venue in Pakistan, will host three matches and one Super Four game. In Sri Lanka, the Gaddafi Stadium will witness Bangladesh take on Afghanistan on September 3, followed by Sri Lanka vs. Afghanistan on September 5.
Regardless of the first-round results, Pakistan is slotted as A1, and India as A2, while Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are designated B1 and B2, respectively. Should Nepal and Afghanistan qualify for the Super Four stage, they will replace the teams eliminated in Group A and Group B.
ICC World Cup 2023 Schedule Announced, Click Here To Check Full Schedule
The draft schedule outlines that only one Super Four match will be played in Pakistan on September 6, featuring the winners of Group A and the runners-up of Group B. In the event that Pakistan and India both progress to the Super Four stage, they are scheduled to face each other once more on September 10 in Kandy. The other Sri Lankan venue to host three matches during the Super Four stage is Dambulla
