ACC announces calendar for 2023-2024; IND & PAK in same group for Asia Cup 2023

The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has announced the calendar for 2023-2024 season. Notably, arch-rivals India and Pakistan have been placed in the same group for the Men’s Asia Cup 2023.

ACC has diversified its operations and named several premier contests for budding cricketers including the U-19 and the U-16 division. Tournaments have also been announced for a number of associate nations and junior full-member nations. A healthy inclusion for Women’s cricket was also observed.

Here’s a glimpse of the ACC calendar for 2023-2024

• The first mega Asian event will be the Men’s Challengers Cup which will be a ten-nation 50-over tournament with the participation of evolving associate nations including China, Saudi Arabia, Myanmar, Thailand, Iran, Malaysia, and Bahrain. It will take place in March and April.

• A U-16 Regional tournament will take place in March with the participation of eight regions. The details of the teams will be announced soon.

• The finalists of the Challengers Cup will qualify for the Men’s Premier Cup which will feature heavyweight associate nations including UAE, Nepal, and Singapore. A 24-Match event will take place in April 2023.

• After the conclusion of the Premier Cup, ACC has announced to host a Women’s Emerging T-20 Cup in June that will feature junior teams of top nations such as India A, Pakistan A, Sri Lanka A, and Bangladesh A.

• Similar to the Women’s Emerging Cup, a similar Men’s Emerging Cup is scheduled to take place in July that will be a 15-match 50-over tournament with top teams including India A, Pakistan A, and Sri Lanka A, etc.

• The marquee ACC event namely the Men’s Asia Cup 2023 will be held in September. India, Pakistan, and Qualifier 1 are named in Group A whereas Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Qualifier 2 are placed in Group B.

• After the conclusion of the Asia Cup, a Challengers, Premier, and Emerging Cup will also be held for the U-19 Division. These events will take place from October to December 2023.

Though ACC has announced the complete schedule of the prominent events, it has remained silent on the controversial hosting rights of Pakistan which is set to host the 2023 edition of the Men’s Asia Cup. It will be interesting to find out the decision of the apex body.