Pakistan Handed a Big Blow, Sri Lanka Likely to Host Asia Cup 2023

image-lheylcqfVirat Kohli and Babar Azam (Twitter)

Asia Cup 2023 has been a matter of debate for a long time now. It was initially set to happen in Pakistan but since India made its intentions clear about not travelling to Pakistan, things have been topsy-turvy.

Pakistan though has not been in any mood to let go their hosting rights and proposed a hybrid model as an alternative option. According to that model, India matches were supposed to be played at a neutral venue, most probably U.A.E and all other matches were to be held in Pakistan itself. However, that option also seems to be out of equation now according to the report from Indian Express. BCCI, on its part, was always against the hybrid model and wanted the whole tournament to be moved out of Pakistan.

One of the reason behind this stand from BCCI is that Pakistan wants the hybrid model to be replicated in the World Cup 2023 as well which is scheduled to take place in India later in the year. The Bangladesh board and Lankan Board in the past have tried to convince PCB to let go its hosting rights but Pakistan was adamant. 

However, according to the Indian Express report now, Sri Lanka is most likely to host the Asia Cup 2023. U.A.E was not considered because September is a peak summer month in the country and many countries had reservations of playing in that extreme heat. Bangladesh also seem to be interested in hosting the six-nation tournament but Sri Lanka is a front-runner in the race now.

Now, with the event most likely to happen out of Pakistan, their participation in the continental tournament is in serious doubt. The PCB chairman, Najam Sethi has time and again mentioned that they will not accept any move to take Asia Cup out of Pakistan. Also, if the event does happen outside Pakistan, it would be interesting to see what will be Pakistan's  stand on participation in the World Cup 2023 to be held in India.

Asia Cup 2023 will be played in 50-over format this year with the World Cup in sights and will be a six-team affair if Pakistan participates. The six teams will be - India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nepal and the tournament is likely to take place between 2nd of September to 17th September.