India to play its Asia Cup 2023 matches in neutral venues outside Pakistan: In a huge development, India is now set to play its Asia Cup 2023 matches in neutral venues (outside Pakistan), however, the remainder of the tournament will proceed further in Pakistan, which earlier got the hosting rights for it.
The development was confirmed following a brief stalemate between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). While the Indian cricket board didn’t want to travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup 2023, evidently due to security threats while the Pakistan cricket board was adamant to host the tournament on its soil.
As per the reports, BCCI and the PCB officials successfully held a meeting a couple of days ago to quickly solve the issue. The officials are brokering a compromise to host the Asia Cup 2023 in Pakistan, barring India matches.
“A meeting between the boards had been done a few days back and the tournament will be allowed to be held in Pakistan,” a source told ANI. “India will play their matches at a neutral venue and will not travel to Pakistan.”
Notably, the possible venues that can host India’s matches in the Asia Cup 2023 are England, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, UAE and Oman. Interestingly, if India and Pakistan both manage to reach the final of Asia Cup 2023, the summit clash will be staged in a foreign land and not in Pakistan.
“The venues where India could play their matches are likely to be Oman, UAE, England, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Though the decision will be decided later,” the source added.
This year’s Asia Cup will be held in the One Day International (ODI) format in wake of the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, which is slated to be held in India. The six-team tournament will see India and Pakistan paired in the same group along with a qualifying team. The other group consists of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.
The top four teams of the group stage will proceed to the Super 4s and the top two teams of Super 4s will head to play the final of the Asia Cup 2023. The total number of games to be held in the tournament is 13, including the Super 4s and the final.
Head to BCCI’s official website to know more.