The final schedule for the upcoming Asia Cup 2023, scheduled to be played in Pakistan and Sri Lanka from August 31 to September 17, is likely to be announced this week, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said on Monday.
“On Saturday, July 15, a meeting was held between the PCB and ACC officials in respect of finalising the schedule of the Asia Cup 2023, logistical and organisational arrangements and marketing campaigns,” said the PCB in a statement about the events transpiring during ICC Annual Conference in Durban from July 10-13.
“The finalised schedule is likely to be announced this week. With the opening match scheduled to kick-off in Pakistan, the PCB, as the event host, looks forward to welcoming cricket fans from across the world to experience Pakistan’s renowned hospitality,” it added.
Notably, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Nepal, the winners of ACC Men’s Premier Cup, will face-off in a total of 13 ODI matches, which is also being considered as a preparation for the ODI World Cup, scheduled to be held in India from October 5 to November 19.
Intrestingly, arch-rivals India and Pakistan have been grouped together alongside Nepal while defending champions Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan are the sides featuring in the other group.
The Men in Blue had last won the tournament the when it was held in a 50-over format in the UAE in 2018.
The upcoming 2023 edition of the continental tournament, which will also be the 16th edition of the tournament, will feature two groups, with two teams from each group qualifying for the Super Four stage and later, the top two teams from the Super Four stage will then clash in the final.
The PCB further added that several fruitful meetings were held between Zaka Ashraf, Chair of the PCB’s Management Committee, with fellow cricket board officials on the sidelines of the ICC meetings where collaborations and mutually beneficial programs to further cricket development and growth were discussed.
PCB also said it wanted the financial distribution model item to be deferred to the next ICC Board Meeting.
“Ultimately, the majority of members did not find it feasible to defer this item and voted in favour of passing the Model, while the PCB recorded its dissent as a matter of principle,” it added.
At the same time, PCB said it will receive double the amount from the newly-approved financial model.
“Consequently, due to the Pakistan cricket team’s performance in men’s ICC events and bilateral cricket, the PCB’s own huge fan base, which leads to significant commercial value, the PCB was ranked amongst the top-four nations in this Model,” the PCB said,
“As such, the PCB will receive more than two times the revenue when compared to the last cycle. This increased share of revenue will mean that a far greater investment can be made in developing cricketing skills and will be beneficial in taking Pakistan Cricket to new heights. This was welcome news for the Pakistani fans and our great nation,” it added.