Tag: Asia Cup 2023

Inzamam-ul-Haq, the national men’s selection committee head announced an 18-member squad for the series against Afghanistan and the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2023, the notable selection, however, was the returning pace-bowling all-rounder Faheem Ashraf.

He returns to the side after a long hiatus of two years, his last outing in the ODI format was during Pakistan’s three-match away series against England in July 2021.

In his last ODI match, Faheem Ashraf scored 10 runs off four balls, while he gave away 34 runs without any wicket.

Inzamam-ul-Haq, who unveiled almost alike squads for the Asia Cup and Afghanistan ODIs, justified Faheem Ashraf’s inclusion by claiming him to be the only pace-bowling all-rounder in the circuit.

“We lacked pace-bowling all-rounders, as all the all-rounders we currently have are spinners,” he said.

“We are looking towards the ICC Cricket World Cup later this year, and Faheem Ashraf will come in handy in India,” he added.

He further solidified his call by terming Faheem the best pace-bowling all-rounder in Pakistan.

“Faheem Ashraf is number one among all the pace-bowling all-rounders in the domestic.”

An 18-player squad will take on Afghanistan in Sri Lanka from 22 to 26 August and it will be trimmed to 17 players for the Asia Cup, commencing from 30th August at Multan Cricket Stadium. The opening game will see host Pakistan face Nepal.

Along with Faheem Ashraf, Tayyab Tahir, and Saud Shakeel have also been included in the squad, however, Shakeel is only selected for the Afghanistan series.

Shan Masood and Ihsanullah are the two players from the squad who played New Zealand in the five ODIs in April and May to miss out.

The team will assemble in Hambantota on 18 August with the players in Pakistan departing on 17 August. The players in Pakistan will hold a three-day camp on 14, 15 and 16 August at the National Cricket Academy, Lahore.

The squad was finalised following consultations between the national men’s selection committee – which also includes Mickey Arthur, Grant Bradburn and Hassan Cheema (secretary) – and Pakistan captain Babar Azam.

Pakistan’s Squad:

Openers: Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq

Middle order: Babar Azam (captain), Salman Ali Agha, Iftikhar Ahmed, Tayyab Tahir and Saud Shakeel (only for Afghanistan series).

Wicketkeepers: Mohammad Rizwan and Mohammad Haris

Spinners: Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Mohammad Nawaz and Usama Mir

Pace all-rounder: Faheem Ashraf

Pacers: Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah and Shaheen Afridi 

READ: Shubman Gill moves closer to Fakhar, Imam in ICC ODI Batting Rankings

Inzamam-ul-Haq, the head of the national men’s selection committee, today announced Pakistan’s squads for the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2023 and the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan.

An 18-player squad will take on Afghanistan in Sri Lanka from 22 to 26 August and it will be trimmed to 17 players for the Asia Cup, which begins from the Multan Cricket Stadium on 30 August when Pakistan play Nepal.

Pakistan’s Squad:

Openers: Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq

Middle order: Babar Azam (captain), Salman Ali Agha, Iftikhar Ahmed, Tayyab Tahir and Saud Shakeel (only for Afghanistan series).

Wicketkeepers: Mohammad Rizwan and Mohammad Haris

Spinners: Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Mohammad Nawaz and Usama Mir

Pace all-rounder: Faheem Ashraf

Pacers: Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah and Shaheen Afridi 

Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf and Saud Shakeel have been included in the Pakistan squad for the Afghanistan series. Shan Masood and Ihsanullah are the two players from the squad that played New Zealand in the five ODIs in April and May to miss out.

Faheem returns to the side after two years and further adds to the balance of the side as a fast-bowling all-rounder. His last outing in the format was during Pakistan’s three-match away series against England in July 2021. 

This is Tayyab’s second call-up in the ODI side. His maiden call-up came ahead of the three ODIs against New Zealand in January following a stellar show in the Pakistan Cup 2022-23 that saw him finish as the leading run-getter in the event.

The right-handed middle-order batter recently struck a scintillating century to orchestrate Pakistan Shaheens’ thumping 128-run win over India A in the ACC Men’s Emerging Cup final.

Saud, who does not feature in the Asia Cup squad, has played five ODIs and his last was in March 2022 when Pakistan chased down 348 against Australia with six wickets in hand in Lahore. 

Shan has missed out on selection following a string of low scores, while Ihsanullah is undergoing a rehabilitation programme under the observation of the PCB’s medical panel following an injury in his bowling elbow. 

The team will assemble in Hambantota on 18 August with the players in Pakistan departing on 17 August. The players in Pakistan will hold a three-day camp on 14, 15 and 16 August at the National Cricket Academy, Lahore.

The squad was finalised following consultations between the national men’s selection committee – which also includes Mickey Arthur, Grant Bradburn and Hassan Cheema (secretary) – and Pakistan captain Babar Azam.

Players participating in Lankan Premier League and The Hundred will join the squad directly in Sri Lanka on 18 August.

READ: Rahmanullah Gurbaz calls Babar Azam ‘Legend’

With this year’s Asia Cup around the corner, Star Sports on Friday dropped an entertaining promo to hype up the continental event, scheduled to commence on August 30.

The 45-second video features intense visuals from the previous editions of the tournament.

It features the remarkable rivalry between Pakistan vs India, Pakistan vs Afghanistan and Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka.

Tension. Aggression. Passion. 🔥

Get ready for an adrenaline-fueled showdown as the playground of passionate rivalries like #INDvPAK is all set to ignite at the #AsiaCup2023! 💪🏻

Tune-in to #AsiaCupOnstar
Aug 30 Onwards and catch #INDvPAK on 2 Sep | Star Sports Network#Cricket pic.twitter.com/2akJWZiIJE

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) August 3, 2023

 

The Asia Cup promo, unlike the recently-released World Cup promo, received praise from cricket fans for covering all elements and giving a fair share to each of the participating nations.

This promo is way better than the Worldcup Promo …
Feel the heat…❤️‍🔥#Asiacup https://t.co/DQhaeYobYC

— Ahmed (@born_realist_IK) August 3, 2023

It looks like promo of WWE main event but on a side note good they include Afghanistan Bangladesh and SL in it doesn't make whole Asia Cup all about India vs Pakistan https://t.co/e90zWUa3n6

— Rahul Sharma (@midwicketpunch) August 3, 2023

https://twitter.com/Nazalytics/status/1687268034195685376

Rare good promo https://t.co/L2dvG0Mbpp

— Starlord (@NotTheDarkBlade) August 3, 2023

I can't believe but the promo is actually amazing https://t.co/h3Lt1V6CLr

— samridhi (@_samridhisays) August 3, 2023

 

This year’s Asia Cup will kick off with host Pakistan taking on Nepal in the curtain raiser on August 30 in Multan.

Pakistan will host a total of four matches including a Super 4s fixture.

India’s group stage matches including the anticipated clash against Pakistan, scheduled on September 2, will be held in Kandy while the rest of the Super 4s matches, including the final will be played in Colombo.

The arch-rivals Pakistan and India will come face to face again on September 10 in Colombo if both manage to qualify for the Super 4s.

Like the previous edition, the Asia Cup schedule holds a possibility of treating the cricket fans with a maximum of three Pakistan-India matches in a single tournament if both arch-rivals, in a first, simultaneously qualify for the final.

The upcoming edition of the Asia Cup features six teams, divided into two groups, the top two teams from each group will then qualify for the Super 4s. The continental event will run from August 31 to September 17.

Hosts Pakistan are placed in the same group as arch-rivals India and Nepal while the other group includes defending champions and co-hosts Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

The Asia Cup 2023 will be played in the ODI format and will serve as an opportunity for the Asian teams to bolster their preparations for the upcoming ICC Men’s World Cup.

READ: Tamim Iqbal quits ODI captaincy, ruled out of Asia Cup

DURBAN: The chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) management committee Zaka Ashraf invited Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary Jay Shah to watch Asia Cup matches in Pakistan, ARY News reported.

As per details, the PCB Management Committee chairman met the BCCI secretary Jay Shah in Durban South Africa on the sidelines of the CEC meeting of the International Cricket Council (ICC)’s annual session in Durban, South Africa and both agreed to continue meetings and strengthen the cricketing relations.

Sources claimed that BCCI Secretary accepted Ashraf’s invitation to watch Asia Cup matches in Pakistan before also extending an invitation to the PCB head for ICC Men’s World Cup 2023 in India.

Ashraf, in a bid to strengthen the cricketing ties between two neighbouring countries, also accepted the invitation.

Zaka Ashraf told the BCCI secretary that the people of Pakistan are famous for their hospitality and they know how to value their guests. This is a new beginning and the meetings will continue, he added.

The Asian Cricket Council (ACC), last month, accepted the hybrid model proposed by the PCB and confirmed the hosts and schedule of the Asia Cup 2023.

“We are delighted to announce that the Asia Cup 2023 will be held from 31st August to 17th September 2023 and will see the elite teams from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Nepal, compete in a total of 13 exciting ODI matches,” the ACC said in a statement.

The multi-national tournament will be hosted in a hybrid model with four matches being held in Pakistan, and the remaining nine matches being played in Sri Lanka despite massive opposition by the BCCI.

The upcoming edition of the Asia Cup features six teams, divided into two groups, the top two teams from each group will then qualify for the Super 4s.

Hosts Pakistan are placed in the same group as arch-rivals India and Nepal while the other group includes defending champions and joint-host Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

The Asia Cup 2023 will be played in the ODI format and will serve as an opportunity for the Asian teams to bolster their preparations for the upcoming ICC Men’s World Cup.

READ: Dambulla to host Pakistan vs India clash as Asia Cup schedule ‘finalised’

Much-anticipated Pakistan vs India clash in the upcoming Men’s Asia Cup will take centre stage at Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium, the Indian Premier League (IPL) head Arun Dhumal asserted.

Dhumal, who is also a member of the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) provided a major update regarding the schedule of this year’s Asia Cup, stating that it has now been finalised following the meeting of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) head Zaka Ashraf and his BCCI counterpart Jay Shah in Durban.

Dhumal further said India will not travel to Pakistan to play the high-voltage game between the two arch-rivals. The Pakistan vs India match will likely be played in Dambulla, Sri Lanka.

“Our secretary met PCB head Zaka Ashraf and the Asia Cup schedule was finalised and it is on course as it was discussed earlier,” said Dhumal. ”

Fans are anticipating a tough contest between Pakistan and India this year as both teams will meet at least twice in men’s cricket in the calendar.

Meanwhile, the IPL head also brushed aside former PCB chief Najam Sethi’s claim that Pakistan will play at least two Asia Cup fixtures in Pakistan, stating that the host nation will only take on Nepal at their home ground.

“There will be four games of league stage in Pakistan, followed by nine games in Sri Lanka including both India versus Pakistan game and in case a third game if both teams play final,” Dhumal said.

The upcoming edition of the Asia Cup features six teams, divided into two groups, the top two teams from each group will then qualify for the Super 4s. The continental event will run from August 31 to September 17.

Hosts Pakistan are placed in the same group as arch-rivals India and Nepal while the other group includes defending champions and co-hosts Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

The Asia Cup 2023 will be played in the ODI format and will serve as an opportunity for the Asian teams to bolster their preparations for the upcoming ICC Men’s World Cup.

READ: Bowlers, Litton aid Bangladesh avoid Afghanistan whitewash

LAHORE: The chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) management committee Najam Sethi on Friday, stated that the national team will play two home matches in the upcoming Asia Cup 2023.

Najam Sethi addressed a press conference here at the PCB headquarters, alongside COO Salman Naseer and hinted at the possibility of Pakistan playing a Super 4s match at home.

Notably, as per the schedule revealed by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), Pakistan was due to host the first four matches, more likely group-stage matches, while the rest of the event including the final was scheduled to be hosted in Sri Lanka.

If so, Pakistan would only be able to face Nepal in their own backyard in the Asia Cup since the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) had categorically denied touring the country for the multi-lateral event.

However, Najam Sethi confirmed that Pakistan would play a minimum of two matches in their home ground before jokingly stating a word to wise is enough while replying to a reporter, who asked if Pakistan would only play one match at home against Nepal.

“No, there would be two matches of Pakistan. Minimum two,” said Sethi.

The upcoming edition of the Asia Cup features six teams, divided into two groups, the top two teams from each group will then qualify for the Super 4s.

Hosts Pakistan are placed in the same group as arch-rivals India and Nepal while the other group includes defending champions and joint-host Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

The Asia Cup 2023 will be played in the ODI format and will serve as an opportunity for the Asian teams to bolster their preparations for the upcoming ICC Men’s World Cup.

This year’s Asia Cup was originally scheduled to be hosted by Pakistan. However, the BCCI refused to send their team to Pakistan for the continental event on political grounds.

“Neutral venue for Asia Cup is not unprecedented and we have decided that we will not travel to Pakistan,” BCCI Secretary Jay Shah stated.

“I have decided that we will play at a neutral venue,” he maintained.

The BCCI then made several efforts to take the hosting rights from Pakistan and to hold Asia Cup at a neutral venue.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was determined not to give away the hosting rights of the tournament and thus the chairman of the PCB management committee Najam Sethi came up with a hybrid model.

READ: Here’s why England, Australia players are wearing black armbands in Ashes

LAHORE: Najam Sethi, Chair of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Management Committee, has thanked the Asian Cricket Council for accepting his hybrid model for the ACC Asia Cup 2023, which is now scheduled from 31 August to 17 September.

This will be the first time since 2008 that matches of a multi-nation cricket tournament will be staged in Pakistan. Fifteen years ago, Pakistan successfully delivered the six-team ACC Asia Cup 50-over tournament.

Sethi, in a video statement released by the PCB, briefly after the ACC unveiled the venues and schedule of this year’s Asia Cup, extended his gratitude to the continental council before asserting to understand the Board of Cricket Control in India’s (BCCI) position.

“I am elated that our hybrid version for the ACC Asia Cup 2023 has been accepted. This means the PCB will remain as the event host and stage matches in Pakistan with Sri Lanka as the neutral venue, which was required due to the Indian cricket team’s inability to travel to Pakistan.

“Our passionate fans would have loved to see the India cricket team in action in Pakistan for the first time in 15 years, but we understand the BCCI’s position. Like the PCB, the BCCI also requires government approval and clearance before crossing borders,” he added.

Najam Sethi further emphasized the importance of the hybrid model and claimed that it will keep the ACC united.

“In this background, the hybrid model was the best solution and that’s precisely why I advocated for it so strongly. The acceptance of the hybrid model means the event will take place as originally planned, the ACC will stay together and united, and the great game of cricket will continue to thrive and move forward in what will be interesting and exciting times for the subcontinent cricket fans in the coming 20 months,” stated Sethi.

“In the past 15 months, the PCB has delivered high-profile bilateral series as well as two immensely successful HBL Pakistan Super League events in which some of the world’s leading cricketers participated and enjoyed Pakistan’s outstanding arrangements and unprecedented hospitality. We look forward to providing similar experience to the participating sides in the ACC Asia Cup, which will be a prelude to the ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan in February/March 2025,” he added.

The chairman of the PCB Management Committee Najam Sethi then went on to reveal that he will carry out discussions with Sri Lanka Cricket and ACC to further iron out a few minor operational and logistical details and assured that the PCB will do their best to host the event successfully.

“I now look forward to continuing our discussions and deliberations with the ACC and Sri Lanka Cricket to iron out a few minor operational and logistical details so that we can launch our event planning and preparations.

“I want to assure the ACC, its commercial partners, participating countries, and the cricket fans in Pakistan and Sri Lanka that the PCB, as event hosts, will not leave any stone unturned in the successful delivery of the event that is so very critical to the sides featuring in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 in October/November in India.

“I appreciate the efforts of ACC President Jay Shah to strengthen the council so that we can collectively continue to protect each other’s interests and also provide opportunities and platforms to emerging Asian nations.”

READ: PCB’s hybrid model accepted as Asia Cup’s venues, scheduled unveiled

The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) on Thursday, accepted the hybrid model by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and confirmed the venues and schedule of the Asia Cup 2023.

“We are delighted to announce that the Asia Cup 2023 will be held from 31st August to 17th September 2023 and will see the elite teams from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Nepal, compete in a total of 13 exciting ODI matches,” the ACC said in a statement.

The multi-national tournament will be hosted in a hybrid model with four matches being held in Pakistan, and the remaining nine matches being played in Sri Lanka despite massive opposition by the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI).

The upcoming edition of the Asia Cup features six teams, divided into two groups, the top two teams from each group will then qualify for the Super 4s.

Hosts Pakistan are placed in the same group as arch-rivals India and Nepal while the other group includes defending champions and joint-host Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

The Asia Cup 2023 will be played in the ODI format and will serve as an opportunity for the Asian teams to bolster their preparations for the upcoming ICC Men’s World Cup.

This year’s Asia Cup was originally scheduled to be hosted by Pakistan. However, the BCCI refused to send their team to Pakistan for the continental event on political grounds.

“Neutral venue for Asia Cup is not unprecedented and we have decided that we will not travel to Pakistan,” BCCI Secretary Jay Shah stated.

“I have decided that we will play at a neutral venue,” he maintained.

The BCCI then made several efforts to take the hosting rights from Pakistan and to hold Asia Cup at a neutral venue.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was determined not to give away the hosting rights of the tournament and thus the chairman of the PCB management committee Najam Sethi came up with a hybrid model.

READ: Pakistan players’ availability in doubt as GT20, Sri Lanka Tests likely to clash

The Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) proposed hybrid model for the Asia Cup 2023 is likely to be approved by the Asian Cricket Council, with Sri Lanka opted as the neutral venue. 

According to the sources, all member boards of the ACC gave approval to the hybrid model suggested by the PCB, in which the first four matches will be played in Pakistan while the rest of the tournament will be held at a neutral venue.

The tournament will take place between September 1 and 17 and the final will only be played at a neutral venue if India is involved.

An official announcement in this regard will be made in the next few days.

The likely assent is a major breakthrough in a standstill which had engulfed the Asia Cup 2023 for a while due to a deadlock between the PCB and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) over the hosting of the tournament.

This year’s Asia Cup is originally scheduled to be hosted by Pakistan. However, the BCCI refused to send their team to Pakistan for the continental event on political grounds.

The BCCI since then made several efforts to take the hosting rights from Pakistan and to hold Asia Cup at a neutral venue.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was determined not to give away the hosting rights of the tournament and thus the chairman of the PCB management committee Najam Sethi came up with a hybrid model.

As per the PCB-proposed model, Pakistan will host the four to six group matches which will feature Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Afghanistan.

However, the BCCI has refused the hybrid proposal for both events and once again demanded to shift the Asia Cup entirely from Pakistan.

Following BCCI’s reported refusal, the final decision regarding the venue of the Asia Cup was likely to be taken on the sidelines of the Indian Premier League (IPL) final. However, no development was reported on the deadlock.

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KARACHI: Former Pakistan captain Younis Khan shared a piece of advice on the ongoing deadlock regarding the venue of Asia Cup 2023, stating that dialogue is the only way forward.

The former Pakistan captain joined the ongoing debate regarding the venue of this year’s Asia Cup and the deadlock between two arch-rivals Pakistan and India.

He while highlighting the importance of the rivalry in cricket also shared a piece of advice regarding the tie on the Asia Cup venue and shared that the officials should sit and talk to resolve this issue.

“Everyone [officials] should sit and talk regarding Asia Cup. If there’s no dialogue then the matter will not be resolved,” said Younis Khan during the MoU signing ceremony here for the Karachi Premier League.

Younis Khan further weighed in his opinion by asserting that Pakistan-India matches are beneficial for all and without them, there would be no entertainment in cricket.

“If there are no India-Pakistan matches, then there is no fun in cricket. If Pakistan plays India, everyone will benefit,” Younis Khan stated.

This year’s Asia Cup is originally scheduled to be hosted by Pakistan. However, the BCCI refused to send their team to Pakistan for the continental event on political grounds.

The BCCI since then made several efforts to take the hosting rights from Pakistan and to hold Asia Cup at a neutral venue.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was determined not to give away the hosting rights of the tournament and thus the chairman of the PCB management committee Najam Sethi came up with a hybrid model.

As per the PCB-proposed model, Pakistan will host the four to six group matches which will feature Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Afghanistan.

However, the BCCI has refused the hybrid proposal for both events and once again demanded to shift the Asia Cup entirely from Pakistan.

Following BCCI’s reported refusal, the final decision regarding the venue of the Asia Cup was likely to be taken on the sidelines of the Indian Premier League (IPL) final. However, no development was reported on the deadlock.

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