Asia Cup 2023: to be played in hybrid mode in Pakistan and Sri Lanka

The long-awaited decision on Asia Cup 2023 could be imminent. The Asian Cricket Council (ACC), which is led by Jay Shah, the secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), is expected to approve a hybrid model for the tournament proposed by Najam Sethi, chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

According to the proposal, the Asia Cup schedule will feature four non-India games in Pakistan, while Galle and Pallekele in Sri Lanka will host the rest of the matches.

On Tuesday, June 13th, the ACC is expected to officially announce their confirmation of the hybrid model. This decision should also put an end to the ongoing issue surrounding Pakistan's involvement in the upcoming ODI World Cup in India. Previously, Pakistan had threatened to withdraw from the event due to tensions arising from the Asia Cup controversy.

In light of the recent updates regarding the Asia Cup, a member of the ACC board was quoted in a PTI report as below:

Oman Cricket board chief Pankaj Khimji, one of the respected ACC executive board members, was entrusted to find a solution as most countries didn't want a Hybrid Model. But as of now four non-India games -- Pakistan vs Nepal, Bangladesh vs Afghanistan, Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh -- will be held at the Gadaffi Stadium in Lahore.

The two India vs Pakistan games and all other Super Four Games will be held in either Pallekele or Galle,” the ACC board member added.

In September, the highly anticipated Asia Cup is set to take place. According to a recent report, PCB chief Sethi met with ICC CEO Geoff Allardice and Chairman Greg Barclay, where it was agreed that Pakistan would not impose any demands for their participation in the World Cup if they were given the opportunity to host four games of the 2023 Asia Cup in their country.