Sri Lanka, Pakistan to host Asia Cup in hybrid model 

The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) announced the dates and venues for the upcoming 2023 Asia Cup. Notably, Sri Lanka and Pakistan will host the tournament in a hybrid model between August 31 and September 17. While Pakistan will host four matches, the rest of the tournament will be held in Sri Lanka. The tournament will be held in ODI format this time.

Why does this story matter?

The 50-over Asia Cup was scheduled to take place entirely in Pakistan. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) were in a standoff regarding the host country due to political tensions between the countries. The BCCI had made it clear that Team India will not travel to Pakistan. Therefore, SL will host nine matches.

Here's the official announcement

A look at the format

Six teams - India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Nepal will participate in a total of 13 ODIs throughout the tournament. The 2023 Asia Cup edition will have two groups, with two teams from each of these qualifying for the Super Four stage. The top two teams from the Super Four stage will then clash in the final.

Will this have an impact on World Cup?

According to previous reports, the ACC had agreed to consider the hybrid model for the Asia Cup. The PCB then proposed that the same should be applied, as far as the World Cup is concerned. The 50-over tournament will be conducted across 10 venues in India in October-November. Pakistan's matches could be shifted to Bangladesh as the proximity will evict logistical challenges.

India, Pakistan in the same group

Earlier this year, it was reported that India and Pakistan will lock horns in the preliminary round. They have been slotted in the same group alongside Nepal, the winners of the Men's Premier Cup. Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka will form the other group. Like the 2022 edition, which was played in the T20 format, 13 ODIs will be played this time.

No India-Pakistan engagement in bilateral series 

India and Pakistan do not engage in bilateral international series due to political tensions between the two countries. They only face each other in multilateral tournaments. The two countries recently clashed in the Asia Cup. The last India-Pakistan bilateral series was held in 2012 (in India) when Pakistan defeated India 2-1 in ODIs. Besides, India last visited Pakistan in 2008 for the Asia Cup.

A look at the notable points

Sri Lanka will enter the 2023 Asia Cup as the defending champions. They won the T20I edition last year after beating Pakistan in a thrilling final. Notably, India failed to get past the group stage. The 50-over Asia Cup was last played in 2018 when India lifted the trophy under Rohit Sharma after defeating Bangladesh in the final.