Asia Cup 2023 heading Sri Lanka’s way

Sri Lanka are the current Asia Cup champions having won it in Dubai last year

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

Sri Lanka is likely to host or co-host with Pakistan the 16th edition of the Asia Cup 2023 from 1 to 17 September.

A final decision to this effect will be taken by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) during the week.

Currently, talks are underway on zoom amongst ACC members to arrive at a final decision.

It is Pakistan’s turn to host the 2023 edition but due to India’s reluctance to travel to Pakistan, an issue has arisen.

In an effort to retain the hosting rights Pakistan proposed a hybrid model offering UAE as a second venue but Bangladesh raised concerns over the extreme weather in the Middle East in September.

India is keen that the Asia Cup be played in Sri Lanka but Pakistan wants to ensure that at least part of the tournament is played in Pakistan.

The Asia Cup which will be played in the 50-over format is seen as a prelude to the ICC Cricket World Cup which will be held in India in October-November.

A total of 13 matches, including the final, are expected to be played across 13 days. The first leg is likely to take place in Pakistan, with four matches scheduled at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium – Pakistan vs Nepal, Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka, Bangladesh vs Afghanistan and Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh and the second leg, comprising nine matches, will be played in Sri Lanka. India will play all their matches in Sri Lanka whereas Pakistan will have only one game on their turf.

India and Pakistan have been grouped together along with Nepal in the six-nation tournament while Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan are in the other group.