Pakistan: The opening match of the 2023 Asia Cup, between Pakistan and Nepal, will take place in Multan on August 30, one day earlier than the Asian Cricket Council had initially anticipated. If both sides advance to the Super 4s, the first-round match between Pakistan and India will take place at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on September 2.
The other Pakistani location where the matches will take place is Lahore. On September 17, the final is scheduled in Colombo, with a reserve day.
The six-nation tournament being held in Pakistan and Sri Lanka under the hybrid concept that was accepted by ACC caused multiple changes of the original draft schedule created by the PCB (the hosting board).
ACC president Jay Shah tweeted out the complete schedule on Wednesday along with the message: "I am happy to announce the schedule for the highly anticipated Men's ODI #AsiaCup2023, a symbol of unity and togetherness binding diverse nations together! Let's join hands in the celebration of cricketing excellence and cherish the bonds that connect us all".
Pakistan was originally supposed to host four games in a single city. But once a new PCB administration, led by new chairman Zaka Ashraf, took over this month, Multan was added as the second location.
The event will feature 13 total games spread over four locations. Group A includes Pakistan, India, and Nepal, while Group B includes Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. The top two teams from each group will advance to the Super 4s, where the top two teams advance to the championship game.
Except for Nepal, five of the six nations in the Asia Cup—which will be contested in the 50-over format this time—are using it as a practice match for the ODI World Cup, which begins on October 5 in India.
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Afghanistan and Bangladesh are scheduled to play each other on September 3 in Lahore and September 5, respectively, at the Gaddafi Stadium. Regardless of whether they place in the first round, Sri Lanka will be ranked A1, Bangladesh B2, and Pakistan will continue to be ranked A1.
If Nepal and Afghanistan make it to the Super 4, the team that was eliminated (Pakistan or India in Group A, and Sri Lanka or Bangladesh in Group B) would take Nepal's and Afghanistan's spot in the Super 4.
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