India and Pakistan are set to clash in the upcoming Asia Cup 2023 tournament on September 2 while the tournament itself will begin on August 30, as per reports. As per a draft of the schedule by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), the opening match will feature Pakistan and Nepal in Multan.
As per reports by ESPNCricinfo, the final of the Asia Cup tournament will be played in Colombo on September 17. The Asia Cup, which will be played in the 50-overs format this time, is essentially a preparation run for the World Cup 2023 for all teams barring Nepal.
These games are included on the most recent draft schedule, which is likely to undergo more changes before the ACC releases the final one.
The six-nation tournament being held in Pakistan and Sri Lanka based on the hybrid concept recently accepted by the ACC has undergone multiple changes to the original schedule created by the PCB (the hosting board).
A total of 13 matches will be played in the tournament. Pakistan are grouped with India and Nepal in Group A while Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan are in Group B.
The top two teams from each group will qualify for the Super Four stage with the top two teams in this phase advancing to the final.
India And Pakistan To Clash In Kandy On September 2 And Possibly On September 10 As Well
Earlier, only Lahore was to host the Asia Cup games, but under new chairman Zaka Ashraf, the draft schedule shows Multan also hosting a couple of Asia Cup games.
India and Pakistan will clash in the group stage on September 2nd in Kandy. Sri Lanka. Bangladesh are slotted to play Afghanistan on September 3 in Lahore followed by Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan at the Gaddafi Stadium on September 5.
The draft schedule further notes that Pakistan and India, regardless of where they place in the first round, will remain at positions A and A2, respectively, while Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will remain at positions B and B2, respectively.
The only Super Fours match listed in the draft schedule to be played in Pakistan is on September 6 between A1 and B2. In case both Pakistan and India advance to the Super Four stage, they will play again on September 10 in Kandy.