The Asia Cup 2023 is just around the corner and is set to take place in Pakistan and Sri Lanka from August 30th to September 17th, 2023. This 16th edition of the tournament will be a 50-over ODI competition, and all matches will be held at top-notch international venues. We’ll see two groups, with two teams from each group advancing to the Super Four stage. And the competition’s final will feature a showdown between the top two teams from the Super Four stage.
The 2023 Asia Cup will kick off in Multan with an opening match between Pakistan and Nepal, with six teams divided into two groups. Group A consists of Pakistan, India, and Nepal, while Group B includes Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka. Each fixture will adhere to the fifty-overs format, and the hosting duties will be split between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Pakistan will host four matches at two venues, while the remaining games will be held in Sri Lanka.
The tournament is scheduled to begin on August 30th, with Pakistan facing Nepal in Multan. In addition, three matches will be held in Lahore, with one potentially being a Pakistan Super 4 fixture on September 6th. The remaining matches will take place in Sri Lanka, with three in Kandy and six in Colombo, including the final on September 17th.
Fans are gifted with an eagerly awaited clash as India v Pakistan takes place in the round-robin stage in Kandy on September 2nd, and a potential rematch during the Super 4 stage is planned for September 10th in Colombo.
The Cricket Asia Cup: A Short History
The Asia Cup, which originated in 1984 with the aim of fostering altruism among Asian nations, has evolved into a significant perennial tournament that serves as a forerunner to the ODI and T20I World Cups. The most recent installment, held in the United Arab Emirates from August to September 2022, featured T20 matches to assist teams in preparing for the upcoming T20 World Cup. Sri Lanka emerged as the victors.
This summer’s 16th edition of the Asia Cup will serve as a valuable warm-up event for Asian teams in anticipation of the ODI World Cup.
The Cricket Asia Cup 2023 Format
- The cricket tournament schedule announced on January 9, 2023, has introduced an intriguing tournament format and team groupings. The six teams involved have been evenly distributed into two groups containing three teams each.
- Over the course of the tournament, a total of 13 matches will occur, consisting of six league matches, six Super 4 matches, and a final showdown.
- Group A comprises India, Pakistan, and Nepal, who all secured victory in the 2023 ACC Men’s Premier Cup qualifier event. In contrast, Group B features the defending champions, Sri Lanka, alongside Bangladesh and Afghanistan.
- In the preliminary stage, every team in their assigned groups will vie against one another. Following the conclusion of the preliminary matches, the top two teams from Group A and Group B will progress to the Super 4 stage.
- During the Super 4 stage, these four teams will engage in a round-robin format, each playing against the other three. The teams that accumulate the most points by the end of the Super 4 matches will earn a spot in the final.
- The highly anticipated final of the tournament will feature the top two teams from the Super 4 stage. The team that emerges victorious in this match will be named the tournament champion. Cricket enthusiasts and fans alike can expect an exciting showcase of talent and skills as the teams compete for the prestigious title.
Asia Cup 2023 Betting Odds
India currently leads the betting odds as tournament favorites with a price of 10/11, but the competition’s co-hosts Pakistan aren’t far behind at 9/4. Pakistan’s fellow co-hosts Sri Lanka sit at a great price of 7/1, and Bangladesh can currently be found for 9 or 10/1 when using your favourite bookmakers for NZ punters.
Outsiders Afghanistan and Nepal are huge underdogs at 20/1 and 100/1, respectively.
Asia Cup 2023 Schedule
| Date | Teams | Venue |
| Aug 30 | Pakistan vs. Nepal | Multan, Pakistan |
| Aug 31 | Bangladesh vs. Sri Lanka | Kandy, Sri Lanka |
| Sep 2 | Pakistan vs. India | Kandy, Sri Lanka |
| Sep 3 | Bangladesh vs. Afghanistan | Lahore, Pakistan |
| Sep 4 | India vs. Nepal | Kandy, Sri Lanka |
| Sep 5 | Afghanistan vs. Sri Lanka | Lahore, Pakistan |
| SUPER 4s | ||
| Sep 6 | A1 vs. B2 | Lahore, Pakistan |
| Sep 9 | B1 vs. B2 | Colombo, Sri Lanka |
| Sep 10 | A1 vs. A2 | Colombo, Sri Lanka |
| Sep 12 | A2 vs. B1 | Colombo, Sri Lanka |
| Sep 14 | A1 vs. B1 | Colombo, Sri Lanka |
| Sep 15 | A2 vs. B2 | Colombo, Sri Lanka |
| Sep 17 | FINALS | Colombo, Sri Lanka |
History Defining Moment for Asia Cup Debutant
Nepal is poised to enter the Asia Cup 2023 following their successful inclusion in the tournament by clinching the ACC Men’s Premier Cup title. In a thrilling final against UAE, Nepal emerged triumphant with a seven-wicket victory, thanks to Gulshan Kumar Jha’s impressive performance of scoring 67 runs from 84 deliveries. This win guarantees Nepal’s qualification for the Asia Cup, signifying their maiden appearance in this esteemed competition.
Cricket Asia Cup 2023 Overview
| Event Information | Asia Cup 2023 |
| Association Name | ACC (Asian Cricket Council) |
| Hosting Nations | Pakistan & Sri-Lanka |
| No. of Teams Participating | Six |
| Total Fixtures | Thirteen |
| Teams | Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Nepal |
| Start Date | August 30th, 2023 |
| Asia Cup 2023 Final | September 17th, 2023 |
| Where to watch Asia Cup 2023 | Amazon Prime, Jio Cinema, Star Sports, Hotstar |
| ACC Links | www.asiancricket.org |
