The confusion surrounding the fate of Asia Cup 2023 has finally come to an end. Last week, the Asian Cricket Council announced that the tournament would go ahead this year and also confirmed that Pakistan and Sri Lanka will co-host the competition.
The much-awaited edition of the continental championship will take place from August 31st to September 17th. Pakistan will host four games while Sri Lanka will be hosting the remaining 9 games of the competition. Asia Cup 2023 is set to be played in the ODI format, thus giving the teams the opportunity to prepare for the upcoming ICC World Cup 2023.
As the cricketing world eagerly waits for the Asia Cup to begin, former India opener Aakash Chopra has revealed that BCCI never never takes its share of revenue from the Asia Cup. The Indian cricket board is the only board in the ACC that does not take its share.
Reason behind BCCI not taking its share of the revenue in Asia Cup:
Chopra also revealed the reason behind BCCI’s decision. The former cricketer-turned-commentator revealed that the richest cricket board in the world gives up on the Asia Cup revenue and instead gives it to those members where cricket development is needed.
“In the history of Asia Cup, BCCI has never taken its share from the tournament,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
“They have never even touched it. Instead, BCCI ends up handing over their share to other countries where cricket development is required. BCCI is quite wealthy and they are happy to be the elder brother. Therefore, they don’t ask for their share. No other country be it Pakistan, Sri Lanka or Bangladesh does that. Only BCCI ends up giving up their share,” he added.
Chopra also said that he is not surprised that a hybrid model has been accepted. He also explained the reason behind UAE not being selected as the neutral venue. Earlier, Pakistan had proposed the UAE as the neutral venue for their hybrid model.
“Hybrid model has been accepted. UAE (as venue) wasn’t selected because of the heat, especially since the tournament will be played in 50-over format. Last year too Asia Cup was held here but then it was in T20 format and the matches started in the evenings,” Chopra said.
Also Read: Rashid Khan Back In Afghanistan’s 15-Men Squad For Bangladesh ODIs