Asia Cup stalemate ends as ACC accepts Pakistan's hybrid model

On Thursday, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) adopted the hybrid plan provided by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to end the standoff over the hosting of the Asia Cup 2023.

Despite heavy opposition from India, the event will be contested in a hybrid format, with four matches taking place in Pakistan and the remaining nine in Sri Lanka.

The ACC announced its decision to accept the PCB's model while unveiling the itinerary for the much-anticipated tournament, which has been marred by controversy due to the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) intransigence.

"We are delighted to announce that the Asia Cup 2023 will be held from August 31st to September 17th, 2023, and will feature elite teams from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Nepal competing in a total of 13 exciting ODI matches," the council said in a statement.

The Asia Cup will be divided into two groups, with two teams from each group progressing to the Super Four stage. The final will include the top two teams from the Super Four stage.

The Asia Cup will be a 50-over event that will serve as a warm-up for the ODI World Cup later this year.

Pakistan, India, and Nepal will compete in Group 1 of the Asia Cup while defending champions Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan will compete in Group 2.

It should be recalled that the PCB introduced the hybrid concept after the BCCI declined to send their squad to Pakistan for the Asia Cup.

Due to tense relations between the two countries, India has not traveled to Pakistan since 2008.

The archrivals last played a bilateral series in 2012, when Pakistan toured India for limited-overs matches.

In recent years, the two countries have only met in ICC and ACC competitions.