Cricket enthusiasts have awaited the highly anticipated clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan in men’s cricket this year. The much-anticipated encounter is set to occur twice internationally, first in the Asia Cup and then in the ODI World Cup in October. While the date and venue for their World Cup match are already known, the location for their Asia Cup showdown has been a subject of intense speculation. However, recent developments have shed light on the matter, with Arun Dhumal, the chairman of the Indian Premier League, confirming that the India-Pakistan match will be held in Sri Lanka.
The Asia Cup has been surrounded by controversy regarding its schedule, leaving cricket fans eager to learn the fate of the highly anticipated India-Pakistan match. Arun Dhumal, the chairman of the Indian Premier League, played a crucial role in ending the rumors by confirming that the Asia Cup matches involving India will indeed be held in Sri Lanka. The decision was reached after BCCI secretary Jay Shah held discussions with Zaka Ashraf, the representative head of the Pakistan Cricket Board.
In a significant development, it was announced that India would not be traveling to Pakistan for the 2023 edition of the Asia Cup. Instead, all their tournament matches will be played in Sri Lanka. Arun Dhumal clarified that while four matches of the continental tournament will take place in Pakistan, the remainder will be scheduled in Sri Lanka. The highly-anticipated clash between India and Pakistan will be among the matches held in Sri Lanka, along with a potential third encounter if both teams make it to the final.
“Our secretary met PCB head Zaka Ashraf and the Asia Cup schedule was finalised and it is on course as it was discussed earlier. There will be four games of league stage in Pakistan, followed by 9 games in Sri Lanka including both India versus Pakistan game and in case a third game if both teams play final,” Dhumal told PTI.
Arun Dhumal dismissed reports circulating in the Pakistani media that suggested India would travel to their neighboring country for the tournament. He clarified that no such discussions occurred, and India’s secretary will not travel to Pakistan. The confirmation of the schedule was the primary outcome of the meeting, ending any speculation about the teams’ destinations.
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“There was no such discussion held. Neither India is travelling to Pakistan nor our secretary will be travelling contrary to reports that have surfaced. Only the schedule was finalised,” he said.
According to reports, India is likely to face Pakistan in Sri Lanka’s Dambulla, which echoes the location of their clash during the 2010 Asia Cup edition. Notably, this will be Pakistan’s only home match, and the other games in their country will feature Afghanistan vs. Bangladesh, Bangladesh vs. Sri Lanka, and Sri Lanka vs. Afghanistan.
