Xtra Time Web Desk: The upcoming Asia Cup 2023 cricket tournament will be held in Pakistan, with India’s matches set to take place at a neutral venue due to concerns around security. The decision was reached after a public standoff between the two cricket boards, with BCCI refusing to travel to Pakistan for the tournament and the PCB threatening to boycott the ICC ODI World Cup in India.
The BCCI and PCB have since agreed to host India’s matches at a neutral venue, with options including Oman, Sri Lanka, UAE, and even England. In the event that India reaches the final, it too will be held at a neutral venue. The decision was made after two rounds of talks between PCB chief Najam Sethi and BCCI representatives Arun Dhumal and Jay Shah.
A separate group has been allocated to plan the fixtures and schedule of the tournament, with the neutral venue likely to depend on weather conditions. While Pakistan and UAE have hosted cricket tournaments in the past, temperatures can reach 40 degrees Celsius in early September, prompting consideration of Oman as a potential option.
The Asia Cup will feature six teams in a 50-over format, with India and Pakistan grouped together alongside a qualifier. Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan are part of the other group, and a total of 13 matches will be played across 13 days, including the final. The top two teams from each group will advance to the Super 4s, with the top two teams from this stage contesting the final. If India and Pakistan both progress, fans could potentially be treated to three encounters between the two teams within 13 days.
Overall, the decision to hold India’s matches at a neutral venue ensures the safety and security of players and spectators, while still allowing for the exciting possibility of an India vs Pakistan encounter in the tournament.