Asia Cup 2023: A major setback is poised to befall the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), as it is anticipated that the Asia Cup 2023 will be held elsewhere. The BCCI’s (Board of Control for Cricket in India) announcement that Team India will not be touring Pakistan has influenced the decision to relocate the competition, which will now be held in a neutral venue. According to The Indian Express, the competition, which was originally scheduled to take place in Sri Lanka last year but was moved to the UAE due to political unrest there, is expected to return this year.

Why There is This Indecision?

The uncertainty around Pakistan hosting the continental tournament has existed since the BCCI’s decision to withdraw from the event. The move to shift the tournament away from Pakistan might see the country lose the hosting rights of the 2025 Champions Trophy. However, Pakistan may also pull out of the competition. The PCB will have to find an alternative solution to stage the global event.

The Indian Express report indicates that Pakistan might not participate in the 2023 World Cup if the PCB loses the hosting rights of the Asia Cup. An official announcement regarding the tournament’s hosts and Pakistan’s participation in the World Cup should be released soon.

Also Read: ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023 might be shifted out of India. See why?

This year Asia Cup will be played in September and will be followed by the ODI World Cup. Hence, the continental tournament will be played in a 50-over format. Rohit Sharma-led Team India won the 50-over Asia Cup in 2018. Pakistan’s participation in the event is still up in the air. The BCCI is slated to host the 50-over World Cup in 2023 following the Asia Cup. Although the Men in Green did travel to India for the 2016 T20 World Cup, they haven’t played a bilateral series since the 2012/13 season.

In conclusion, the decision to move the Asia Cup 2023 out of Pakistan is a significant setback for the PCB, and it remains to be seen what alternative solution they will find to stage the global event.

2023 Asia Cup Schedule

The Asia Cricket Council (ACC) has yet to release the official schedule for the 2023 Asia Cup. However, an announcement regarding the schedule is expected soon. In the meantime, we have a tentative schedule for the Asia Cup 2023, which we have provided below for your reference:

DateMatch
September 02, 2023India vs Pakistan
September 03, 2023Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka
September 04, 2023Afghanistan vs Bangladesh
September 05, 2023India vs Qualifier
September 07, 2023Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka
September 08, 2023Pakistan vs Qualifier
September 09, 2023B1 vs B2
September 10, 2023A1 vs A2
September 11, 2023A1 vs B1
September 12, 2023A2 vs B2
September 13, 2023A1 vs B2
September 14, 2023B1 vs A2
September 16, 2023Final