Finally, the much-awaited Asia Cup 2023 is here. Jay Shah, the President of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) announced the schedule for the highly anticipated Men’s ODI AsiaCup2023 on July 19, 2023. This cricket tournament has a huge fan base and is exclusive to the Asian continent only.
Various Asian countries will participate in this tournament including India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh and for the first time Nepal.
In this article, we are going to share all the necessary information about Asia Cup – 2023, so that you are up to date and don’t miss anything.
Important Details
Date: 30th August 2023 to 17th September 2023
Cricket format: ODI (One Day International)
Format of the game: Group stage – Super 4s – Final
Teams: Six
Matches: 6+6+1 (13)
The Hosting Countries
This year, Pakistan and Sri Lanka got the tag of hosting countries. It was a bit difficult to find a common ground for a venue due to India’s refusal of traveling to Pakistan because of political tension between the countries. Amidst all this, ACC found the middle ground and announced that the four matches will be held in Pakistan in which India need not participate and the rest of the nine matches will be held in Sri Lanka where India can freely participate.
Format Of The Game
There are thirteen matches in total, to be played by participating countries, starting from group-stage matches (six matches) followed by Super 4 matches (six matches) and a Final.
There are two groups. Group A has India, Nepal and Pakistan. Group B has Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.
The top two teams from each of the groups (A1 & A2 and B1 & B2) will face each other in the next round which is Super 4.
The two qualifying teams from Super 4s will head towards the final.
Why Asia Cup 2023 is Special?
Asia Cup 2023 is special for two reasons.
1. This tournament was originally scheduled to be held in 2021, but due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it got postponed to 2023. Fans are eagerly waiting for this tournament for two years and finally, it is here, making them excited and thrilled for the matches.
2. Nepal would be making its debut in Asia Cup. Nepal, who qualified by winning the ACC men’s premier cup will join India, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
And, Here’s The Schedule!
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Group Stage
Date: 30th August 2023
Venue: Multan, Pakistan
Pakistan and Nepal will face each other
Date: 31st August 2023
Venue: Kandy, Sri Lanka
Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will face each other
Date: 2nd September 2023
Venue: Kandy, Sri Lanka
Pakistan and India will face each other
Date: 3rd September 2023
Venue: Lahore, Pakistan
Bangladesh and Afghanistan will face each other
Date: 4th September 2023
Venue: Kandy, Sri Lanka
Nepal and India will face each other
Date: 5th September 2023
Venue: Lahore, Pakistan
Afghanistan and Sri Lanka will face each other
The top two teams from each group will enter the super 4s: A1 & A2 and B1 & B2.
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Super 4s
Date: 6th September 2023
Venue: Lahore, Pakistan
A1 and B2 will face each other
Date: 9th September 2023
Venue: Colombo, Sri Lanka
B1 and B2 will face each other
Date: 10th September 2023
Venue: Colombo, Sri Lanka
A1 and A2 will face each other
Date: 12th September 2023
Venue: Colombo, Sri Lanka
A2 and B1 will face each other
Date: 14th September 2023
Venue: Colombo, Sri Lanka
A1 and B1 will face each other
Date: 15th September 2023
Venue: Colombo, Sri Lanka
B2 and A2 will face each other
Two teams will be qualified for the finals.
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Finals
Date: 17th September 2023
Venue: Colombo, Sri Lanka
The top two finalists from Super 4s will face each other
Summing Up
The much-awaited Asia Cup is scheduled to be held in Pakistan and Sri Lanka, as they are the hosts this year. The tournament will begin on 30th August and the final round will take place on 17th September in Colombo, Sri Lanka. There are a total of 13 matches divided into three stages: the group stage, the super 4s and the final.
It will indeed be a very thrilling tournament, posing various questions in the minds of cricket enthusiasts and fans. Will India win this tournament and remain on top of the leaderboard? Will Sri Lanka win this tournament and share the top spot with India? Will Nepal and Afghanistan shock everyone by getting the tag of finalist? Can Pakistan win this tournament? And many more.
Well, every question will be answered and every mystery will unfold from 30th August to 17th September.
