Cricket Fever Set To Begin: Asia Cup 2023 Schedule Unveiled This Week

New Delhi, 18th July 2023: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced that the fixture for the Asia Cup 2023 is expected to be revealed later this week. The tournament is set to commence on August 31 in Pakistan and will subsequently move to Sri Lanka, following the PCB’s proposed hybrid model. The participating teams include India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Nepal, with all of them being winners of the ACC Men’s Premier Cup. The competition will consist of 13 One Day International (ODI) matches, serving as preparation for the ODI World Cup 2023, scheduled to be held in India later in the year.

A recent meeting between the PCB and ACC officials was held on July 15 to finalize the schedule, logistical arrangements, and marketing campaigns for the Asia Cup 2023. The official schedule is expected to be disclosed in the coming week. The PCB, as the host of the event, is looking forward to welcoming cricket fans from around the world and showcasing Pakistan’s renowned hospitality.

The tournament is structured around two groups, and from each group, two teams will progress to the next stage known as the “Super Four.” The top two teams from the Super Four stage will compete in the final match. India and Pakistan have been grouped alongside Nepal, while Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan form the other group. Sri Lanka is the defending champion of the Asia Cup, while India previously won the tournament in the UAE in 2018.

The PCB also mentioned that Zaka Ashraf, Chair of the PCB’s Management Committee, engaged in fruitful meetings with fellow cricket board officials during the ICC meetings. These discussions focused on collaborations and mutually beneficial programs to promote cricket development and growth.

Regarding the financial distribution model, the PCB expressed its desire for the item to be deferred to the next ICC Board Meeting. However, the majority of members decided not to postpone it and voted in favour of passing the Model. Nevertheless, the PCB registered its dissent as a fundamental principle. As a result of Pakistan’s performance in ICC events and bilateral cricket, the PCB’s significant fan base, and the associated commercial value, it was ranked among the top four nations in this Model. Consequently, the PCB will receive more than twice the revenue compared to the last cycle, allowing for greater investments in developing cricketing skills and taking Pakistan Cricket to new heights, which has been warmly received by Pakistani fans and the nation.