Asia Cup 2023 to be played in Pakistan & Sri Lanka after ACC approves hybrid model - Reports

India will play their Asia Cup 2023 matches in Sri Lanka, The Island nation will also host the finals.

The Asia Cup 2023 conundrum has reportedly been solved after Asian Cricket Council (ACC) approved of Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) hybrid model with Sri Lanka hosting all the games of India.

The model sees four - and possibly five - of the tournament's 13 games being played in Pakistan. All the India-Pakistan games will be played in Sri Lanka, as will the final if India is involved.

The hybrid model was proposed as a solution due to India and Pakistan's unwilling to travel to other's countries. India's refusal to tour Pakistan prompted Pakistan to go with this model in order to retain the hosting rights.

The expected acceptance marks a huge step in a stalemate that has not only stretched on for some time but has also promised repercussions for ICC events, most notably the World Cup in India this year but also the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan. There is now a chance that an agreement reached here may make it easier for Pakistan to travel to India for the World Cup.

Pakistan to host Nepal, Afghanistan and Bangladesh in Asia Cup 2023 matches

PTI has reported that Pakistan will get matches against Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan in the first phase of the tournament.

The second phase will see the Asia Cup move to Sri Lanka, with all the teams playing against India. It was also reported that PCB wanted the second phase to be played in UAE, but received opposition from India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka citing the heat.

Sri Lanka will still host the final even if India fail to qualify or Pakistan play the final.

This smoothening of Asia Cup 2023 has also been seen as the pathway to be cleared for Pakistan to travel to India for the ODI World Cup 2023. The final schedule for the ICC World Cup 2023 is expected to be announced within the next 48 hours, following the conclusion of the ICC Meeting.