During the much-anticipated announcement of the Asia Cup 2023 schedule, a comical blunder took center stage when Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chief Zaka Ashraf made an amusing mistake.
As the head of the co-hosts of the continental cricket event, Ashraf attended the unveiling ceremony along with former Pakistan players and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) head Jay Shah, who is also the BCCI secretary.
The event aimed to generate excitement among fans for the upcoming tournament, but it unexpectedly brought some lighthearted humor to the proceedings.
During his speech, while discussing the strength of Pakistan’s ODI squad, Ashraf accidentally referred to left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi as a top-10 batter.
Shaheen Afridi is known for his outstanding bowling skills and currently holds the no.9 spot in the ICC ODI bowler rankings
However, when it comes to his batting prowess, he is nowhere near the top 10. The unexpected mix-up brought smiles to the faces of those present and quickly became a talking point among cricket enthusiasts.
Ashraf’s address highlighted the impressive talents within the Pakistan team. He proudly mentioned that their captain, Babar Azam, currently sits at the top of the ICC ODI batting rankings.
Furthermore, other Pakistan batters, such as Fakhar Zaman and Imam ul Haq, are ranked third and fourth, respectively, further solidifying the team’s strong batting lineup.
The Asia Cup 2023 is set to be a unique affair, utilizing a hybrid model due to India’s decision not to travel to Pakistan for the event. The tournament will kick off with a match between Pakistan and Nepal in Multan, Pakistan, on August 30.
Fans can eagerly anticipate the much-anticipated clash between India and Pakistan, scheduled to take place in Kandy, Sri Lanka, on September 2. Additionally, India will face Nepal in another group stage match on September 4 at the same venue.
Pakistan will proudly host three group stage matches and one Super Four stage match, while the remainder of the tournament will be held in Sri Lanka. All eyes will be on Colombo for the grand final on September 17, where the two best teams will vie for the coveted title.
Despite the amusing slip-up at the ceremony, the Asia Cup 2023 promises to be a thrilling and fiercely competitive event, with cricketing talents from all over the continent showcasing their skills on the grand stage.
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