The Asia Cup 2023 is scheduled to begin on August 30. In this tournament, 6 teams have been divided into 2 different groups. Group A consists of India, Pakistan and Nepal. Group B consists of Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. This time the Asia Cup matches are to be played in Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The last edition of the Asia Cup was played in the UAE, Which happened in the T20 format.
This is going to be the 16th edition of the Asia Cup. The first Asia Cup was held on UAE soil in 1984. India was the winner in that initial season, while Sri Lanka finished second. This will be the second time that Pakistan is going to host the Asia Cup.
Earlier, the 2008 Asia Cup was played in Pakistan. Sri Lanka was the winner that season. You will be a little surprised to know that India has hosted the Asia Cup only once so far. Bangladesh has hosted this tournament 6 times.
India and Pakistan have never met in the final
When it comes to cricket, there is a mention of India-Pakistan rivalry, it is considered to be the biggest cavalry in the cricket world, but if you look at the statistics of the Asia Cup, you will see a different picture. India and Sri Lanka have faced each other 8 times in the final of the Asia Cup. In such a situation, both teams may be seen playing against each other in the Asia Cup final for the first time.
The Indian team has the most titles
In the history of Asia Cup, the Indian team has won the Asia Cup title 7 times. India won the Asia Cup title in the years 1984, 1988, 1990/91, 1995, 2010, 2016 and 2018. Sri Lanka 1986, 1997, 2004, 2008, Pakistan won the Asia Cup in 2014 and 2022, while the 2000 and 2012 Asia Cup trophies were crowned by Pakistan.
Asia Cup 2023 Schedule:
August 30: Pakistan vs Nepal – Multan
August 31: Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka – Kandy
September 2: India vs Pakistan – Kandy
September 3: Bangladesh vs Afghanistan – Lahore
September 4: India vs Nepal – Kandy
September 5: Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan – Lahore
September 6: A1 vsB2 – Lahore
September 9: B1 vsB2 – Colombo (could be Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh)
September 10: A1 vs A2 – Colombo (could be India vs Pakistan)
September 12: A2 vsB1 – Colombo
September 14: A 1 vs B1 – Colombo
September 15: A2 vsB2 – Colombo
September 17: Final – Colombo