The continent’s leading sides will renew acquaintances when the Asia Cup begins in Multan at the end of August.
As has become customary, the tournament is a pre-cursor to the World Cup, meaning it alternates between the T20 and ODI format.
Last year’s tournament prefaced the T20 World Cup in Australia. This year, it will be 50-over matches ahead of the ODI World Cup in India in October and November.
Security issues
India’s government ruled out the prospect of their team touring Pakistan due to security concerns. As such a “hybrid model” was settled upon to ensure the tournament went ahead.
Even though Pakistan retain hosting rights, fewer matches will be played there. The opening match will be played in Multan, with three more set to be staged in Lahore – while the rest are scheduled for Sri Lanka, including the September 17 final in Colombo.
Defending champions
Sri Lanka are the defending champions, having shocked their more celebrated rivals by winning in the T20 format in Dubai last year.
India have won the tournament the most times, with seven titles to their name, with Sri Lanka second on six.
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India's Virat Kohli scored an unbeaten 82 to secure victory against Pakistan in their T20 World Cup match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday, October 23, 2022. AP -
India captain Rohit Sharma lifts Virat Kohli as they celebrate their win over Pakistan in the T20 World Cup in Melbourne. AFP -
Virat Kohli guided India to victory over Pakistan in Melbourne on Sunday. AP -
Virat Kohli secured a famous win for India against Pakistan. Getty -
India's Virat Kohli, left, and Hardik Pandya starred in a century stand to clinch victory against Pakistan in Melbourne on Sunday. AP -
India's Hardik Pandya scored a quick 40 and took three wickets in Melbourne on Sunday. AP -
India's Virat Kohli scored one of the finest T20 innings in a chase against Pakistan in Melbourne. AFP -
Fan attendance is shown on a giant at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. AP -
Virat Kohli hit successive sixes in the penultimate over to set up victory. AP -
Pakistan's Haris Rauf took the wicket of India captain Rohit Sharma in Melbourne on Sunday. AFP -
Haris Rauf rocked India's top order with extreme pace. Getty -
India opener KL Rahul is bowled by Pakistan quick Naseem Shah. AFP -
Naseem Shah of Pakistan is congratulated by teammates after getting the wicket of KL Rahul at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Getty -
Pakistan's Shan Masood held the innings together with a fine fifty. AFP -
Pakistan's Shan Masood scored an unbeaten fifty against India in Melbourne. AFP -
India's Hardik Pandya, right, reacts after dismissing Pakistan's Mohammad Nawaz. AP -
Hardik Pandya took three wickets for India. AFP -
A pitch invader runs onto the field at Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday. Getty -
Pakistan's Iftikhar Ahmed celebrates reaching his fifty in Melbourne. AFP -
Iftikhar Ahmed gave Pakistan's innings the impetus. Getty -
India and Pakistan fans at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Getty -
India's Arshdeep Singh, left, reacts after dismissing Pakistan's Mohammad Rizwan. AP
Newcomers
Nepal will become the eighth country to feature in an Asia Cup when they participate for the first time.
They are drawn in a group with Pakistan and India, having beaten the UAE in a rain affected qualifier final in Kathmandu back in May.
Big games
Nepal might not be a known force in cricket’s mainstream, but their games are likely to be huge given the following for the sport in the country.
They open their campaign against Pakistan in the only game which will be played in Multan. The ground has the largest attendance of Pakistan’s venues for cricket, and usually has a fervent home following.
Rivals
Pakistan will then travel to Sri Lanka for their second group match. They will face their traditional rivals India in the hill town of Pallekele, near Kandy.
India and Nepal will play at the same ground two days later.
Asia Cup 2023 fixtures
August 30: Pakistan v Nepal, Multan
August 31: Bangladesh v Sri Lanka, Kandy
September 2: Pakistan v India, Kandy
September 3: Bangladesh v Afghanistan, Lahore
September 4: India v Nepal, Kandy
September 5: Afghanistan v Sri Lanka, Lahore
September 6: Super 4 - A1 v B2, Lahore
September 9: B1 v B2, Colombo
September 10: A1 v A2, Colombo
September 12: A2 v B1, Colombo
September 14: A1 v B1, Colombo
September 15: A2 v B2 Colombo
September 17: Final, Colombo (September 18 reserve day)
