Ramiz Raja confirms that 2023 Asia Cup will be played in Pakistan

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja has confirmed that the 2023 edition of the Asia Cup will be played in Pakistan. Pakistan was set to host the 2022 edition of the tournament but the PCB exchanged rights with Sri Lanka Cricket Board (SLC), who will now host the 2022 edition. Raja also revealed that the tournament will be played in a 50 over format. Meanwhile, the 15th edition in 2022 will be a 20-over event. The decisions were taken by Asian Cricket Council (ACC), which is headed by the BCCI secretary Jay Shah.

Asia Cup started as a 50-over event but since 2016, it has been played in resemblance to the following international tournament. The previous edition in 2018 was played as a 50-over format due to its proximity to the International 50-over cup in 2019. Similarly, the 2022 and 2023 editions will be played in 20-over and 50-over format because of the precedence to International T20 Cup and International 50-over Cup respectively.

The 15th edition was earlier scheduled for July 2021 but was postponed due to India’s qualification to the World Test Championship final. India is the most successful team of the tournament, having won it on seven occasions, while Sri Lanka has claimed the title five times. Pakistan have won the trophy on two occasions.

Recently, New Zealand and England abandoned their Pakistan tours citing security issues. Still, PCB can hope that most teams won't have objections to travelling to Pakistan. However, it will be interesting to see India's stand for the event.