Desk Report,
India and Pakistan in the same group in the Asia Cup
After the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) meeting in Dhaka yesterday, the organization’s president Mohsin Naqvi did not give any clear information about the Asia Cup. However, he clarified that the Asia Cup is happening, saying, “It (the Asia Cup schedule) will be announced soon. We are consulting with the BCCI. Hopefully, we can resolve it soon.”
India and Pakistan in the same group in the Asia Cup
Naqvi said that some decisions still need to be made regarding the Asia Cup and a final decision will be taken in consultation with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Meanwhile, Indian media reported that the tournament’s organizer, BCCI, will announce the Asia Cup schedule soon. Sources told the Times of India that the BCCI will announce the tournament schedule in the next few days. Indian media also reported that this time, India and Pakistan are more likely to compete in the same group in the Asia Cup. An ACC source told Indian news agency PTI that India will host the Asia Cup in the United Arab Emirates. India will play all its matches in Dubai. However, the schedule is still under discussion. The Times of India, News18 and India Today, citing sources, said that this time India and Pakistan are likely to compete in the same group in the Asia Cup. The fact that India and Pakistan are in the same group in this 8-team T20 tournament means that the two arch-rivals will face each other at least twice. After the group stage, the two teams will face each other in the Super Six. If they reach the final, it will be the third meeting, which will create more revenue for broadcasters.
India and Pakistan went into a state of war after the terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam on April 22. Then this time the two neighbors will meet for the first time in the Asia Cup. India and Pakistan last met in the Champions Trophy held in February and March. India defeated Pakistan by 6 wickets in that group stage match.
Sources told India Today that BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla and ACC and PCB president Mohsin Naqvi will sit down at the negotiating table in the next few days to finalise the schedule and venue for the tournament. The tournament is proposed to start from September 7.
