India vs Pakistan once more as Asia Cup 2023 details revealed; ACC announces calendar for next 2 years

India and Pakistan will face off again for another time. After the two cricketing nations were placed in the same group of the Asia Cup 2023 later this year. Asia Cricket Council (ACC) president Jay Shah took to Twitter to announce the news on Thursday.

Due to the limited number of meetings between the two bordering countries, they are frequently lumped together at multi-nation events. Hence, every India vs Pakistan encounter becomes highly anticipated and looked forward to.

“Presenting the @ACCMedia1 pathway structure & cricket calendars for 2023 & 2024! This signals our unparalleled efforts & passion to take this game to new heights. With cricketers across countries gearing up for spectacular performances, it promises to be a good time for cricket,”

-Tweeted Shah

Apart from India and Pakistan defending champions Sri Lanka have been added to one group, followed by Bangladesh, Afghanistan and a qualifying team in the other. The Asia Cup 2023, will be played in the 50-over format as part of a build-up to the World Cup.

A total of 13 matches will be played barring the qualifiers. These include six league matches six Super 4 games, with the two top teams headlining the final. However, whichever country hosts the tournament remains to be seen after the ACC promised to appeal to the ICC to take the competition out of Pakistan, its original host nation.

India vs Pakistan in the previous encounter

India and Pakistan put on back-to-back classic matches when they faced off in the 20-over Asia Cup last year. In the league stage, India beat Pakistan by five wickets in a last-over thriller chasing down 148 with Hardik Pandya hitting the winning runs. However, Babar Azam and Co. pulled one back in the Super 4. India eventually failed to qualify for Super 4 following a loss to Sri Lanka who later went on to win the cup defeating Pakistan in the final.

Then again, there is no clarity over the schedule or the venue. Pakistan originally bagged the rights to hosting this year’s Asia Cup. But BCCI are not keen to travel to the country to play due to the political tensions existing between the two countries. Former PCB chairman Ramiz Raja had threatened a boycott of the 50-over World Cup in response to BCCI’s stance. Nonetheless, with Najam Sethi taking over as the new chief, things might change.

Also Read: Rishabh Pant to be airlifted to Mumbai: Jay Shah BCCI Secretary

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