CricketIPL chairman Arun Dhumal reveals venue for India vs Pakistan matches in Asia Cup 2023
There is a lot of excitement among cricket enthusiasts this year, as the calendar will see at least two matches between arch-rivals India and Pakistan. The two teams will first clash in the Asia Cup before facing each other in the ODI World Cup in October. The venue and date of their later clash are already known, but there is significant speculation surrounding the Asia Cup. Amidst the ongoing controversy over this continental event schedule, current IPL chairman Arun Dhumal has put an end to the rumours by confirming that India will play against Pakistan in Sri Lanka. India will not be travelling to Pakistan for the Asia Cup 2023, and all their matches will be held in Sri Lanka.
Asia Cup 2023 schedule has been finalized
The decision was taken after BCCI secretary Jay Shah’s meeting with Pakistan Cricket Board’s representative chief Zaka Ashraf. Four matches of the Asia Cup will be held in Pakistan, and the remaining matches will be held in Sri Lanka. Dhumal told PTI that “our secretary met PCB chief Zaka Ashraf, and the Asia Cup schedule has been finalized and is definitely underway. There will be four league stage games in Pakistan, followed by nine matches in Sri Lanka, which include both India Vs Pakistan matches.
Dhumal dismissed the rumors by Pakistan Media
Dhumal also rubbished rumors coming from the Pakistani media that India would visit the neighboring country Pakistan. He said that there were no such discussions, contrary to reports, neither India is visiting Pakistan nor will our Secretary travel there. Only the schedule is finalized. The report further states that there is every possibility that India will play Pakistan in Dambulla, Sri Lanka, just like in the 2010 edition. Pakistan’s only match at home will be against Nepal.
India failed to reach the finals in previous edition
This year’s Asia Cup is the first to be held in the subcontinent since 2016, when Bangladesh last hosted the continental tournament. Since then, the 2018 and 2022 editions have been hosted by the United Arab Emirates. In the previous edition of Asia Cup, India failed to qualify for the final after losing the Super Four matches to Sri Lanka and Pakistan. The final clash was then played between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, which the Sri Lankans won by 23 runs.
