Amid the conflict between the BCCI and PCB over the staging of Asia Cup 2023, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) on Thursday (June 15) announced the dates and venues for the continental tournament, set to be played in a hybrid model that will allow Pakistan to host four games while the rest of the matches will be held in Sri Lanka.

The tournament was supposed to be solely hosted by Pakistan, but everything came to a standstill when BCCI secretary and ACC chairman Jay Shah announced that the Indian team won’t travel to the neighbouring country due to security reasons.

 The turn of events resulted in PCB chairman Najam Sethi proposing a hybrid model to host the Asia Cup, which was eventually approved by the ACC.

After ACC’s approval, Sethi expressed his delight and added that he understands BCCI’s position to not travel to Pakistan.

“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,” said Sethi in a video released by PCB’s Twitter handle.

“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.

A total of 13 games will be played in Asia Cup 2023. Sri Lanka will stage the remaining 9 matches, including the final. The tournament is slated to get underway on August 31 and will run until September 17.

India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Nepal will participate in the marquee tournament.