Image Source: Hindustan Times
According to IPL chairman Arun Dhumal, the highly anticipated India versus Pakistan matches in the upcoming Asia Cup will be held in Sri Lanka instead of Pakistan. Dhumal confirmed that the decision was made during a meeting between BCCI secretary Jay Shah and PCB representative head Zaka Ashraf.
The Asia Cup schedule was finalized with four league stage games in Pakistan and nine games in Sri Lanka, including the India versus Pakistan match. Dhumal dismissed reports from Pakistan media claiming that India would travel to Pakistan, stating that there was no such discussion and neither India nor the BCCI secretary would be traveling to Pakistan.
It is highly likely that India will play Pakistan in Dambulla, similar to the 2010 edition of the Asia Cup. Pakistan’s only home match will be against Nepal, considered a weaker team. The other three games scheduled are Afghanistan versus Bangladesh, Bangladesh versus Sri Lanka, and Sri Lanka versus Afghanistan.
Pakistan’s sports minister, Mazari, recently stated that Pakistan would not travel to India for the ODI World Cup unless India comes to Pakistan for the Asia Cup. However, a senior BCCI official responded by suggesting that the sports minister might be unaware of the earlier meetings of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC). The ACC’s executive committee, which holds significant authority, had approved the hybrid model proposed by former chairman Najam Sethi.
The BCCI official stated that they are not concerned about the internal affairs of the PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) and emphasized that the PCB had agreed to the Hybrid Model during the ACC’s highest-level meeting, as confirmed by a senior ACC board member who was present at the time.
To remind Pakistan’s sports minister, the PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) had issued an official press release confirming that four games of the Asia Cup would be held in Pakistan, while the remaining matches would take place in Sri Lanka.
Regarding the ODI World Cup, the PCB is bound by the ICC’s Members’ Participation Agreement (MPA), which was signed by all full members, including Pakistan, in 2015. The agreement is valid for an eight-year period until 2024. Once a country has signed the MPA, they are contractually obligated to participate in an ICC event at a venue determined by the global body.
While security considerations and other factors are taken into account, pulling out of an event without valid security concerns could lead to legal and financial consequences, as stated by an ICC member. However, it’s important to note that the same MPA does not apply to the 2025 Champions Trophy, which is scheduled to be held in Pakistan.
Asia Cup Schedule Finalized: India vs. Pakistan Matches Likely in Dambulla, Sri Lanka
The complete schedule for the Asia Cup will be announced on July 14, following an agreement between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to adopt a hybrid model. It is highly probable that the much-anticipated India versus Pakistan matches will be played in Dambulla, Sri Lanka. The two rival teams are scheduled to face each other twice, and if both teams qualify for the finals, the third match will also take place in Dambulla.
After extensive discussions, BCCI Secretary Jay Shah and PCB Chief Zaka Ashraf met in Durban to finalize the schedule for the Continental tournament and ultimately chose Sri Lanka as the venue for the matches.
