Pakistan, India slotted in same group for Asia Cup 2023 

Lahore: Arch-rivals Pakistan and India have been drawn in the same preliminary group for Asia Cup 2023— to be held in September— the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president Jay Shah confirmed on Thursday.

Jay Shah, the ACC president, while releasing the cricket calendar for 2023/24 on Twitter wrote: “With cricketers across countries gearing up for spectacular performances, it promises to be a good time for cricket!”. 

Presenting the @ACCMedia1 pathway structure & cricket calendars for 2023 & 2024! This signals our unparalleled efforts & passion to take this game to new heights. With cricketers across countries gearing up for spectacular performances, it promises to be a good time for cricket! pic.twitter.com/atzBO4XjIn

— Jay Shah (@JayShah) January 5, 2023

As per the calendar, ACC will organize 145 games— to be played in 50-over format— in both ODIs and T20Is during its two-year cycle. On the further breakdown of the cycle, 75 games will be played in 2023 while 70 matches are set to happen in 2024. 

The itinerary and the host country have not been announced yet.

Pakistan were assigned to host the tournament this year but the BCCI is not keen on playing there owing to political tensions between the two countries. The then Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja had opposed the BCCI’s stand and even threatened boycott of the 50-over World Cup in India.  

As per the new calendar, 2023 will start off with Men's Challengers Cup. This tournament will feature 10 teams featuring Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Bhutan, China, Myanmar, Maldives, Thailand, Iran and two yet-to-be-named teams. 

The teams will be divided into two groups of five teams each. A total of 23 matches will be played.

The women’s Asia Cup will be held in September 2024 with India and Pakistan placed in the same group alongside a qualifier. 

Sri Lanka will be joined by Bangladesh and another qualifier in the other group.

In March, a Men’s Under-16 Regional tournament, of 35 overs each, will be held. 

The tournament will feature eight teams, region-wise. The winners and runners-up of the previously mentioned Men’s Challengers Cup will qualify for the Men’s Premier Cup, a 50-over tournament.

The tournament will be played in April, comprising ten teams divided into two groups of five each. 

The teams are, UAE, Nepal, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia, alongside qualifiers from Men’s Challengers Cup. 

June and July will see the Women’s T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup and Men’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup in a 50-over format. After Men’s ODI Asia Cup in September, there will be Men’s U19 Challenger Cup, Men’s U19 Premier Cup and Men’s U19 Asia Cup in October, November and December respectively. 

2024 will kick off with Men’s and Women’s T20 Challenger Cup in February and March respectively. It will be followed by Men’s and Women’s T20 Premier Cup in April and May.