Amid all the complications as well as the confusion that have been going around the Asia Cup and World Cup venues finally seem to get settled for good. After the rejection of playing the Asia Cup 2023 entirely in Pakistan, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have continuously been pushing for a hybrid model, where Pakistan gets to host some matches on their soil. The PCB have been constantly negotiating on the fact that at least non-Indian matches can be played in Pakistan and the rest of the matches elsewhere.
Finally, this proposal of PCB have been approved by Asian Cricket Council (ACC). ACC on Thursday have announced that the Asia Cup 2023 will be played tentatively between August 31 and September 17 in Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Also, among the major highlights will be four venues that have been tentatively finalized for the Asia Cup 2023 which will be Karachi, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Multan. Citing this success, PCB took to Twitter and shared their excitement along with statements from Najam Sethi.
PCB official Twitter handed posted “The great game of cricket will continue to thrive and move forward in what will be interesting and exciting times for the subcontinent cricket fans from the ACC Asia Cup 2023 to ICC Champions Trophy 2025.”
Considering this set of events, the fans also commented humorously on this tweet from PCB. Here are some of the tweets;
How many matches India is playing in Pakistan? ?
"Agar India, Pakistan nahi aayi Asia cup ke liye.. Toh hum India nahi jayenge for World Cup" – Najam Sethi.
???? pic.twitter.com/mEeWNkL6Co— Sports Poll ?? (@SportsPolll) June 15, 2023
But fans is not happy because Pakistan has to go for the World Cup
— Haris Khan (@HarisKh96333416) June 15, 2023
4 matches not acceptable…… It's like bcci is giving bheek to us
— Ayesha Ashraf (@ayeshaashraf56) June 15, 2023
The tournament was supposed to be held in Pakistan completely but " BEGGAR'S CAN'T BE CHOOSERS "
— Adnan Sheikh (@Adnan_Sheikh_0) June 15, 2023
Asia Cup hosted by Pakistan with 4 matches in Pakistan and 9 in Sri Lanka …? should we be happy?
— MH (@moazzma_h) June 15, 2023
Lollypop of 4 matches isn’t acceptable ? @najamsethi sb this is not a win for ?? it’s a proof of us surrendering in front of the ‘strong” BCCI??
— Dr.Malick speaks??????? (@docmalik13) June 15, 2023
Thank u @najamsethi and @TheRealPCB
But we wants both the upcoming tournaments trophy in @pakistan— FAHAD IQBAL (@FAHADIQBAL527) June 16, 2023
4 match in Pak.
9 match in Srilanka
Who is HOST— Sports Poll ?? (@SportsPolll) June 15, 2023
All the teams including India will be looking at it as a positive ground for preparation and they will definitely look to settle their squad before the 2023 ICC Cricket World which is scheduled to be played later this year on Indian soil. This multination tournament will certainly serve as a decent platform for practice before the marquee event.
With Sri Lanka being the defending champions and the Asia Cup also taking place in their own backyard, the defending champions will be looking to put on a good performance before the 1996 World Cup winner go on to play the qualifier for the World Cup 2023 scheduled to take place in Zimbabwe.
