Dambulla and Pallekele can host Asia Cup 2023 matches! Pakistan could play a Tri-series against Zimbabwe and South Africa.

According to our sources close to the Asian Cricket Council, 2023 edition of the Asia Cup is going to be shifted from Pakistan to Sri-Lanka. The Island nation is emerging as a potential option to host the event which will be played in the 50-over format.

The last time Asia Cup took place in the 50-over format, was in 2018 – a year before the 2019 ICC Cricket World cup in England. India went on to clinch the tournament by defeating Bangladesh in the Final. Meanwhile the most recent edition took place last year in a T20 format because the ICC T20 World cup 2022 was right after the Asia Cup.

Because of Mumbai 2008, the Indian government does not want us to play against Pakistan outside of ICC events or Asia Cup.

Meanwhile, India lost a bilateral series against Pakistan at home in 2012/13.

That is why they do not play Pakistan in bilateral series, not even at home. pic.twitter.com/UaPKUH4e2H

— Nawaz 🇵🇰 (@Rnawaz31888) May 1, 2023

It was won by Sri-Lanka and if the tournament is shifted, the defending champions will be defending the title in their own soil.

While Dambulla and Pallekele are being looked at as the 2 stadiums to host the event, Pakistan might boycott the event altogether. PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) did everything possible to retain the hosting rights and even proposed a Hybrid model for India to play their matches in UAE but it was never going to happen.

News Update 🚨

As per reports, SLC and BCB are backing India to move Asia Cup out of Pakistan 👀#AsiaCup2023 #CricketR pic.twitter.com/WBrIRm9omZ

— CricketR (@CricketRplus) May 8, 2023

Firstly, the broadcasters (most probably Star Sports) rejected from telecasting the matches due to logistical issues and secondly, the United Arab Emirates get a lot of heat during September.

The BCCI is well aware of UAE’s conditions during the month and the last time India played the Asia Cup in the middle-east, All-rounder Hardik Pandya sustained a back injury and many players were scrutinized by the Weather conditions too.

With the all important ICC 50-over Cricket World cup 2023 set to take place from October in India for the first time since 2011, the BCCI is not ready to take any chances. With India’s stance clear, it remains to be seen what will PCB do next.

According to sources, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has initiated talks with various cricket boards as a backup plan in case the Asia Cup is cancelled in September of this year. pic.twitter.com/zUsTFfKZ7G

— Startup Pakistan (@PakStartup) May 8, 2023

Famous news outlets in Pakistan reported that PCB are going to boycott Asia Cup in the wake of the latest development. It has also raised question marks around their presence in the upcoming World cup because they suggested that Pakistan will also not travel to India if India doesn’t go to Pak for the Asia Cup.

If Pakistan pulls out, it will be a 5-team tournament. India, Sri-Lanka, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Nepal will be appear in Asia Cup 2023, regardless of the host nation. Reports are also suggesting that Pakistan could play a Triangular series in the September window before World cup.