The Asia Cup 2023, a highly anticipated cricketing event, is set to captivate fans across the continent. This biennial tournament showcases the finest cricket talent from the Asian subcontinent and has become a symbol of regional camaraderie and sporting excellence. The tournament is all set to begin on August 30 and continue to run until September 17. Pakistan and Sri Lanka will jointly host the mega event.
The Asia Cup, first held in 1984, has evolved into a prestigious cricketing spectacle, bringing together teams from all over Asia to compete in a limited-overs format. The tournament provides an opportunity for countries like India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and others to showcase their cricketing prowess on a global stage.
One of the unique aspects of the Asia Cup is its ability to transcend the boundaries of sport and foster a sense of unity among nations that share historical, cultural, and geographical ties. The event not only celebrates cricketing rivalry but also emphasizes the importance of sports diplomacy in fostering positive relationships among neighbouring nations.
The format of the Asia Cup has varied over the years. In recent editions, teams have competed in a round-robin group stage followed by knockout matches. This format ensures that every team gets ample opportunities to prove their mettle, making the tournament both competitive and inclusive.
The 2023 edition promises to be a thrilling affair, as cricketing giants vie for supremacy. The teams will battle it out in a series of matches, displaying their skills in batting, bowling, and fielding. With the rise of T20 cricket, the Asia Cup has adapted to include this format, adding an extra layer of excitement and unpredictability to the matches.
Cricket fans around the continent and beyond eagerly anticipate standout performances from star players, unexpected upsets, and nail-biting finishes. The Asia Cup has a history of producing memorable moments that are etched in the collective memory of cricket aficionados.
The host nation for the 2023 Asia Cup is a matter of great interest and speculation, as the tournament rotates among the participating countries. The host’s responsibility extends beyond organizing matches; it involves creating an atmosphere that celebrates cricket’s unifying spirit and showcases the nation’s hospitality and culture.
Asia Cup 2023: Squads
India: Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, Ishan Kishan, Shardul Thakur, Axar Patel, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Prasidh Krishna
Bangladesh: Shakib Al Hasan (captain), Litton Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Afif Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Nasum Ahmed, Mahedi Hasan, Mohammad Naim, Shamim Hossain, Tanzid Hasan, Tanzim Hasan
Pakistan: Babar Azam (captain), Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Iftikhar Ahmed, Tayyab Tahir, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Haris, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Faheem Ashraf, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi.
Nepal: Rohit Paudel (captain), Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh, Bhim Sharki, Kushal Malla, Aarif Sheikh, Dipendra Singh Airee, Gulshan Jha, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lalit Rajbanshi, Pratish GC, Shyam Dhakal, Sundeep Jora, Kishore Mahato and Arjun Saud.
Afghanistan Asia Cup squad: Yet to be announced
Sri Lanka Asia Cup squad: Yet to be announced
Asia Cup 2023: Schedule
August 30: Pakistan vs Nepal, Multan – 3:30 PM IST
August 31: Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka, Pallekele – 1:00 PM IST
September 2: Pakistan vs India, Pallekele – 1:00 PM IST
September 3: Bangladesh vs Afghanistan, Lahore – 1:30 PM IST
September 4: India vs Nepal, Pallekele – 1:00 PM IST
September 5: Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka, Lahore – 3:30 PM IST
September 6: A1 vs B2, Lahore – 3:30 PM IST
September 9: B1 vs B2, Colombo – 2:00 PM IST
September 10: A1 vs A2, Colombo – 2:00 PM IST
September 12: A2 vs B1, Colombo – 2:00 PM IST
September 14: A1 vs B1, Colombo – 2:00 PM IST
September 15: A2 vs B2, Colombo – 2:00 PM IST
September 17: TBC vs TBC, Colombo – 2:00 PM IST
Asia Cup 2023: When and Where to watch
In India, fans can watch the tournament on Star Sports and Disney Hotstar will live stream the mega event. Hotstar decides to live stream the Asia Cup 2023 for free for mobile users in India as well.
For other countries, here is the list of channels where the mega event can be watched.
Pakistan – PTV Sports, Ten Sports
Bangladesh – Gazi TV (GTV)
Australia – Fox Sports
New Zealand – Sky Sports
South Africa – SuperSport network
USA – Willow TV
UK and Ireland – TNT Sports
MENA – CricLife Max, STARZ PLAY
Papua New Guinea – EM TV
Afghanistan – Ariana TV
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