Pakistan are the hosts of the ongoing 16th edition of the Asia Cup, but the hybrid schedule has forced them to travel almost ever second day.
Pakistan played their opening match in Lahore against Nepal on August 30. The next day, the left for Sri Lanka because they were scheduled to play their arch-rivals India on September 2 in Kandy.
Overwhelmed by the support of the fans in Kandy as the rain didn’t dampen their spirits 🙌🇵🇰#PAKvIND | #AsiaCup2023 pic.twitter.com/8W256aFirL
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) September 2, 2023
Now the day after they played against India, the Babar Azam team has gone back to Lahore, where they will play one of their Super Four match on Wednesday. Their opposition are still not fixed. It could either Bangladesh or Afghanistan.
If all goes according to the pre-event seeding, then Pakistan and India will again lock horns September 10 at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium (RPICS), Colombo, Sri Lanka. In that case Pakistan, who will be playing their first Super Four match on September 6, they again have to tavel to Sri Lanka for the rest of the tournament.
This mess has happened because of the strained relationship between India and Pakistan. Over the last decade the neighbouring countries has only played against each other in multi-team events at neutral venues.
Earlier, this year the Indian board had cited safety concerns and has ruled out travelling to Pakistan for the Asia Cup, which prompted this unusual “hybrid model.”
Pakistan won their first match against Nepal by a thumping margin of 238 runs.
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However, the marquee clash between India-Pakistan encounter at the Asia Cup was abandoned when drizzle prevented play after the innings break on Saturday.
India was bowled out for 266 inside 50 overs after electing to bat first. Pakistan couldn’t start its reply, ruining the first one-day international between them since the 2019 Cricket World Cup in England.
Points were shared and Pakistan advanced to the second round having already beaten Nepal. India needs to beat Nepal in its final group game to go through.
indianexpress.com
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