Announcement of the Asian Cup 2023 match schedule; India to face Pakistan on 2nd September in Kandy

The Cricket Council Asia (ACC) and Pakistani Cricket Board (PCB) announced the men’s ODI match schedule AFC Asian Cup 2023. The more than 50-man tournament will be held from 30 August to 17 September with Event Host Pakistan hosting four matches and Sri Lanka hosting nine matches.

Four venues will be used for the 13-match competition. In Pakistan, Multan will host the opening match of the tournament between Pakistan and Nepal on August 30 before the action moves to Lahore for the remaining three matches. Sri Lanka will use Kandy for three matches in the first round and Colombo for five matches in the Super-4 stage and the final on September 17.

Sri Lanka will open the campaign against Bangladesh in Kandy on August 31, while India’s first match in the tournament will be against Pakistan in Kandy on September 2. If both Pakistan and India progress to the Super-4 stage, they will meet again in Colombo on September 10.

After hosting the tournament’s opening match in Multan, the remaining three matches in Pakistan will be held at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. On September 3, Bangladesh and Afghanistan will go head to head, before Afghanistan takes on Sri Lanka on September 5. If all goes according to pre-event seeding, then Pakistan will face Bangladesh in both sides’ first Super-4 on September 6.

Pakistan and India are seeded A1 and A2 respectively with Nepal as the third team in Group A, while Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are seeded B1 and B2 in Group B, respectively with Afghanistan as the third team. If Nepal and Afghanistan advance to the Super-4 round from their respective groups, they will seed the teams that were eliminated in the first round.

The tournament will be played in a fifty-round format, with six teams divided into two groups of three teams each.

Group A: Pakistan (A1), India (A2) and Nepal (Nepal will take the position of the party that cannot progress to Super-4 stage)

Group B: Sri Lanka (B1), Bangladesh (B2) and Afghanistan (Afghanistan will take the position of the party that cannot progress to Super-4 stage)

ODI Men’s AFC Asian Cup 2023 (start time will be confirmed in due course)

Asian Cup 2023 group stage fixtures

August 30: Pakistan v Nepal, Multan Cricket Stadium, Multan, Pakistan

August 31: Bangladesh v Sri Lanka, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy, Sri Lanka

September 2: Pakistan v India, Pallekele Kandy International Cricket Stadium, Sri Lanka

September 3: Bangladesh v Afghanistan, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, Pakistan

September 4th: India v Nepal, Pallekele Kandy International Cricket Stadium, Sri Lanka

September 5: Afghanistan v Sri Lanka, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, Pakistan

Schedule of Super 4s Asian Cup 2023

September 6: A1 v B2 (Super-4), Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, Pakistan

September 9th: B1 v B2 (Super-4), R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium (RPICS), Colombo, Sri Lanka

September 10: A1 v A2 (Super-4), R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium (RPICS), Colombo, Sri Lanka

September 12: A2 v B1 (Super-4), R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium (RPICS), Colombo, Sri Lanka

September 14: A1 v B1 (Super-4), R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium (RPICS), Colombo, Sri Lanka

September 15: A2 v B2, (Super-4), R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium (RPICS), Colombo, Sri Lanka

AFC Asian Cup Finals 2023

September 17: Finals – 1v2 (Super-4), R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium (RPICS), Colombo, Sri Lanka

September 18: Dedicate the day to the final

Jay Shah, Chairman of the Asian Cricket Council, “We are delighted to announce the highly anticipated ODI Asia Men’s Football Championship 2023, an event celebrating cricket excellence that unites Asian nations in a spirit of competition and camaraderie. As the President of the Asian Cricket Council, I extend my warmest greetings and best wishes to all the participating teams.”

“The Asian Cup holds a special place in the hearts of cricket enthusiasts across the continent. It’s not just a tournament; it represents a rich tapestry of cultures, traditions and a shared passion for the game that holds our diverse nations together. This prestigious event not only showcases the ticketing skills of the players, but also promotes solidarity and brotherhood among Asian nations.” he say.

“Let the tournament be a celebration of the beauty of cricket, an outstanding sporting performance and a reflection of the unity that binds our nations together. Together, let’s watch the magic of ticketing unfold, as each match becomes a chapter in the larger story of friendship and sportsmanship.” he added.

“On behalf of the Asian Cricket Council and cricket lovers across Asia, I would like to thank the board members, teams, organizers, sponsors and fans who made this event possible. Your unwavering support is the driving force behind the success of the Asian Cup.” he added.

“Hopefully the ODI Asia Men’s Football Tournament 2023 will be an unforgettable journey, filled with moments of victory, joy and solidarity. Let’s come together to witness the best of Asian cricket,” he concluded.

Mr. Zaka Ashraf, Chairman of PCB Management Committee, “As the Event Organizer, the announcement of ACC’s 2023 AFC Asian Cup schedule provides us with absolute clarity on how we will plan and organize this tournament to make it enjoyable for participants and fans alike. Our arrangements and hospitality are second to none and this will be a great opportunity to once again show this on an international level.”

“For Pakistan, it will be the return to the ACC Asia Cup after 15 long years. Our fans have been waiting for this for a long time and so we look forward to making it bigger and better so that fans and participants can start counting down the days before the ICC Championship, which Pakistan will host in February 2025.” he added.

“I would like to congratulate Nepal on qualifying for the Asian Cup and look forward to welcoming them along with Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have played in Pakistan before, this will be the first of many matches against Nepal and Afghanistan, and I still believe they will take away memories that will stay with them for a very long time.” he added.

“I am extremely excited for the Multan fans, who will host the inaugural match of the ACC Asia Cup 2023 and will see their national team compete in a multi-team tournament for the first time since 1994. One of my top priorities is to ensure competitive cricket returns to historic venues across the country.” he say.

“From the point of view of the Pakistan team, this will be a great opportunity for them to compete in intense matches and also aim to reclaim the title they last won in 2012. They have all the potential and ability to do so and their strong performance at the Asian Cup will give them encouragement and confidence for the next series and events.” he concluded.