Good news for Pakistan cricket fans, Asia Cup 2023 deadlock has finally come to an end. The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) on Thursday announced the dates and venues for the Asia Cup 2023. Pakistan has got approval to host four games at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. With the approval of the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) hybrid model, Sri Lanka will host the remaining games including India vs Pakistan and the final. With BCCI vs PCB rift temporarily ending, ICC will also breathe a sigh of relief as Pakistan has no problem visiting India for World Cup 2023.
Also Read: WC 2023 Schedule in next 48 hours, Chennai likely to host IND vs PAK match
What is PCB’s Asia Cup 2023 Hybrid Model?
- In the new hybrid model, the tournament will be played in two halves.
- In the first phase, Pakistan will host Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Nepal.
- The 2nd phase will have India’s matches at a neutral venue.
- Sri Lanka will host India’s games against Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka apart from the final.
- While Pakistan wanted the 2nd phase in the UAE, India Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are opposed it due to heat.
- The neutral venue will still host the final even if India fail to qualify or Pakistan play the final.
Earlier, PCB chief Najam Sethi threatened to boycott Asia Cup as well as World Cup if Asian Cricket Council chief Jay Shah, who is also the BCCI secretary, did not approve Pakistan as partial host.
“The situation is that India has refused to come. We had to abandon the Asia Cup. What do you want us to do? I will have floated by then the same formula to the ICC. My sense is that the ICC is not as rigidly opposed to the hybrid model. They are waiting to see how it will work out in the Asia Cup. I can’t say more than this but I think that’s the factual position,” Najam Sethi said.
Now with the latest development, PCB will have no issues travelling to India even if Indian government has dismissed sending Rohit Sharma & Co.
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