Asia Cup 2023: Asian Cricket Council releases complete schedule, date, time and venues 

IND vs PAK (Source: Twitter)

The much-awaited schedule for the 2023 Asia Cup has finally been released on Wednesday, July 19. The six-nation tournament will kick off with Pakistan vs Nepal in Multan on August 30, while the blockbuster clash between India and Pakistan will be played on September 2 in Kandy. The event is jointly hosted by Pakistan and Sri Lanka based on the hybrid model of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

A total of 13 matches will be played in the six-nation tournament. Pakistan joins India and Nepal in Group A while Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan are in Group B. The table toppers from the group stage will qualify for the Super Four stage and the top two teams from this phase will advance to the final, which will be held in Colombo on September 17.

The schedule also confirms that Pakistan will remain A1 and India A2, regardless of where they finish in the group stage, and that if one of them fails to qualify, Nepal would take their place. On the other hand, Sri Lanka will be B1 and Bangladesh B2, and Afghanistan will enter the Super Four if either of them are eliminated in the group stage. If Pakistan and India advance to the final four, they will play again in Kandy on September 10.

This time the continental tournament will be played in a 50-over format, and it will be a crucial preparation for the teams for the ODI World Cup, which will be held in India beginning October 5. Barring Nepal, the other five Asian teams are all competing in the World Cup.

India and Pakistan have been at loggerheads for months over the Asia Cup venue, with the Indian Cricket Board refusing to allow their men to travel to Pakistan. Hence, the PCB proposed a hybrid model for hosting the tournament, which was eventually accepted by all stakeholders, including India. The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) announced last month that Pakistan will host just four games while Sri Lanka will host the remaining matches, including India's matches.

Here is the complete schedule for Asia Cup 2023

August 30 – Pakistan vs Nepal – Multan
August 31 – Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka – Kandy
September 1 – Break Day
September 2 – Pakistan vs India – Kandy
September 3 – Bangladesh vs Afghanistan – Lahore
September 4 – India vs Nepal – Kandy
September 5 – Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan – Lahore
September 6 – Super 4s – A1 vs B2 – Lahore
September 7 – Travel Day
September 8 -Break Day
September 9 – B1 vs B2 – Colombo
September 10 – A1 vs A2 – Colombo
September 11 – Break Day
September 12 – A2 vs B1 – Colombo
September 13 – Break Day
September 14 – A1 vs B1 – Colombo
September 15 – A2 vs B2 – Colombo
September 16 – Break Day
September 17 – Final – Colombo

Irrespective of their positions after the first round
- Pakistan will remain A1; India will remain A2.
- If either of them (India or Pakistan) do not qualify, Nepal will take their position.
- Sri Lanka will remain B1; Bangladesh will remain B2.
- If either of them (Sri Lanka or Bangladesh) don't qualify, then Afghanistan will take their position