Asia Cup 2023: Winners list, history, schedule, dates, venues, squads, timings

The 2023 Asia Cup might be performed in Pakistan and Sri Lanka from August 30 to September 17. With the ODI World Cup lower than two months away, the match will function a costume rehearsal for Asia’s high cricketing nations.

Here’s the whole lot it’s essential to know forward of the Asia Cup 2023 match:

HISTORY OF THE ASIA CUP – WINNERS AND HOSTS

Billed as one of many largest tournaments in worldwide cricket, the historical past of the Asia Cup traces again to 1984 when India, beneath skipper Sunil Gavaskar, gained the inaugural version held within the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The match has since had 15 editions – the final of them being in 2022 within the UAE. Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by 23 runs within the last held in Dubai.

Most profitable crew: India is essentially the most profitable crew within the historical past of the continental match, having gained the title seven instances. While India clinched high honours in 1984, 1988, 1990-91, 1995, 2010, 2016 and 2018, the Lankans emerged victorious in 1986, 1997, 2004, 2008, 2014 and 2022. Pakistan has gained the title twice (2000, 2012).

Hosts: Bangladesh has hosted the Asia Cup essentially the most variety of instances (5). UAE has performed host on 4 events, with the 2022 version being the most recent. Meanwhile, India has solely hosted the match as soon as in 1990-91, when it clinched its third title after beating Sri Lanka within the last in Kolkata. Sri Lanka will draw stage with Bangladesh when it hosts the occasion for the fifth time in 2023. Pakistan will host the match for the second time.

ASIA CUP 2023 – RETURN OF THE ODI FORMAT

The 2023 Asia Cup might be performed within the 50-over ODI format. The final time the match was performed within the ODI format was in 2018, when India beat Bangladesh within the summit conflict by three wickets in Dubai.

WHY IS ASIA CUP 2023 BEING PLAYED IN TWO COUNTRIES?

While Pakistan will stay the official host of the match, the Asia Cup might be held in two totally different international locations for the primary time in its historical past. The match might be performed in a hybrid mannequin, with Pakistan internet hosting 4 video games and Sri Lanka 9. This comes within the wake of BCCI refusing to play in Pakistan owing to political tensions between the 2 international locations.

WHAT IS THE FORMAT OF ASIA CUP 2023

The 2023 Asia Cup might be contested by six groups – India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.

In the group stage of the match, the six groups might be divided into two teams of three every. The groups in a single group will play one another in a single round-robin format. The high two groups from every group will advance to the Super Fours, the place the 4 groups will conflict in opposition to one another in a single round-robin format. The high two groups after the Super Four stage will qualify for the ultimate.

India, Nepal and Pakistan are in Group Some time Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan comprise Group B.

HOW MANY TIMES WILL INDIA AND PAKISTAN MEET IN ASIA CUP 2023?

India and Pakistan will face off on September 2 in Pallekele in a Group A match. Provided there aren’t any upsets within the group stage, the 2 groups will meet once more within the Super Four stage. If each India and Pakistan end within the high two of the Super Fours, they may arrange a tantalising last – which might be their third assembly within the match.

FORM GUIDE

India: The Men in Blue come into the match ranked third within the ICC Men’s ODI Team Rankings. India gained its final ODI collection 2-1 in opposition to West Indies within the Caribbean after shedding to Australia 1-2 at house. The Rohit Sharma-led facet began the 12 months on a excessive – sweeping Sri Lanka and New Zealand 3-0 at house. India has gained 9 of its 12 matches this 12 months.

Pakistan: The Babar Azam-led facet would be the highest ranked crew within the match – positioned second within the ICC Men’s ODI Team Rankings. Pakistan has performed eight ODIs this 12 months – all at house and all in opposition to New Zealand – and has gained 5 of them. It misplaced a three-match collection 1-2 in opposition to the Black Caps in January earlier than settling scores with a 4-1 win in opposition to them in May.

Sri Lanka: The host gained the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier occasion in Zimbabwe – the place it gained all eight of its matches – albeit in opposition to lower-ranked oppositions. It is on a 10-match unbeaten streak in ODIs, however started the 12 months with 0-3 and 0-2 collection defeats in opposition to India and New Zealand, respectively. It misplaced to Afghanistan within the first ODI of a three-match collection at house earlier than bouncing again to clinch it 2-1.

Bangladesh: The Tigers have been a robust facet within the 50-over format of late, particularly at house. They beat India in a three-match collection 2-1 final 12 months and likewise managed to pinch a victory in opposition to England whereas shedding the collection 1-2. After beating Ireland with an identical scorelines 2-0 in back-to-back collection, first at house after which away, Bangladesh suffered a shock 1-2 defeat in opposition to Afghanistan at house final month.

Afghanistan: Considered the perennial darkish horse forward of each match, Afghanistan will hope to do higher than pulling off an upset right here and there or simply enjoying party-spoiler. The crew is coming off a exceptional 2-1 collection win in Bangladesh after upsetting Sri Lanka within the first match of a three-match collection. However, having performed simply six ODIs in 2023, the Afghans could be somewhat brief on preparation for an occasion just like the Asia Cup.

Nepal: Led by 20-year previous Rohit Paudel, Nepal has loved a fruitful 12 months in ODIs, successful 15 out of 20 matches. The crew was buoyed by a stellar string of performances within the World Cup League 2 occasion, the place it gained 11 of its final 12 matches to safe qualification for the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe. While successful a sport within the Asia Cup might be a bridge too far for the Fifteenth-ranked facet, Nepal will hope to indicate it belongs on the huge stage.