Cricket

'Bomb Blast loading' - Fans abuzz as Asia Cup set to return to Pakistan after 15 years

Asia Cup 2023 schedule was finally released with the tournament set to be held in a hybrid model. Here's how fans reacted.

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Daniel S
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Asia Cup 2023 Schedule

Asia Cup 2023 Schedule (Source: Twitter)

The Asia Cup 2023 is slated to take place in Sri Lanka and Pakistan from August 31 to September 17. For the first time in the history of the championship, the competition will be conducted using a hybrid model. The Asia Cup will feature participation from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Nepal. Nine games will be played in Sri Lanka whereas just four games will be played in Pakistan. The Super 4 four phases will come following the group stage, and on September 17 the final will take place.

“We are delighted to announce that the Asia Cup 2023 will be held from 31st August to 17th September 2023 and will see the elite teams from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Nepal, compete in a total of 13 exciting ODI matches,” The ACC was quoted as saying in a statement.

“The tournament will be hosted in a hybrid model with four matches being held in Pakistan, and the remaining nine matches being played in Sri Lanka. The 2023 edition will feature two groups, with two teams from each group qualifying for the Super Four stage. The top two teams from the Super Four stage will then face off in the final. We look forward to welcoming fans from around the world to witness this celebration of cricket at its finest,” the ACC added.

Following the Asia Cup Schedule announcement, the ODI World Cup schedule is expected shortly

Pakistan's ability to host any games was in doubt, but the new system will let them do so after 15 years. The competition will include two groups in 2023, with the top two teams advancing to the Super Four stage. Only 4 of the Asia Cup games will be played in Pakistan, according to the Asian Cricket Council, while 9 games will be played in Sri Lanka.

Notably, the Asia Cup's location was the subject of months-long conflict between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Indian Cricket Board. The ACC sought a resolution when the Indian Cricket Board refused to send its team to Pakistan for the Asia Cup. Pakistan eventually suggested a hybrid format in which some matches would be played in Pakistan and others in Sri Lanka, despite their initial opposition to moving the entire tournament out of their country.

The schedule for the ODI World Cup, which will be staged in India later this year, was also impacted by the Asia Cup scheduling snag. The Asia Cup schedule and venues are already set, thus the Apex Cricket Council will probably shortly also publish the ODI World Cup schedule.

Here’s how fans reacted:

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