Asia Cup 2023 likely in Pakistan; India matches at neutral venue: Report

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Pakistan is likely to remain the host of Asia Cup 2023 with India matches, including their games against the hosts, to be played at a neutral venue, reported ESPNcricinfo.

As per the report, BCCI and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials are working on an understanding that can solve the larger problem of neighbouring nations unwilling to visit each other over the current political situation.

The additional and neutral venue for the 50-over Asia Cup 2023 is yet to be decided but several nations, including England, are being considered and if selected will host up to five games. This includes at least India vs Pakistan tie. Other nations in the fray are Sri Lanka, UAE and Oman.

India and Pakistan are clubbed in the same group of the Asia Cup 2023, which is to be played in September this year. The third team in the group will be decided after the Asia Cup 2023 qualifiers.

The other group consists of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. The tournament will see 13 matches being played with Super Four stages and the final after the group stages. The super Four stages will see the top two teams from both groups compete in a round-robin format.

The report further states that a group has been formed that will chart out the logistics and plans for the tournament across two venues that is acceptable for all the participating nations before making it official.

Hosting the matches in the Middle East is a concern in September with the mercury soaring above 40 degree Celsius. However, matches have been played during that period in the UAE in the past, including IPL and Pakistan cricket matches.

Oman's capital Muscat, which also hosted a few matches of the 2021 T20 World Cup, has a cooler temperature during the window while England is considered given the crowd it can pull for India vs Pakistan matches.

The option of playing the Indian match at a neutral venue was accepted by all members of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) as the most acceptable one when they met in Dubai last weekend.