The Asia Cup 2023 has entered its Super 4 stage, and cricket enthusiasts are eager to witness the action unfold. The schedule for the Super 4 round was officially confirmed on Tuesday, setting the stage for intense clashes among the top teams.
In a competition marked by fierce rivalry and nail-biting encounters, Pakistan and India emerged as the frontrunners from Group A, showcasing their cricketing prowess. In parallel, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka secured their places in the Super 4 from Group B, earning their spots through hard-fought battles.
The Super 4 matches promise to deliver high-octane cricketing drama as these four teams vie for supremacy. The schedule is as follows:
- Sept 6: Pakistan vs. Bangladesh in Lahore at 2:30 pm (PST)
- Sept 9: Sri Lanka vs. Bangladesh in Colombo at 2:30 pm (PST)
- Sept 10: Pakistan vs. India in Colombo at 2:30 pm (PST)
- Sept 12: India vs. Sri Lanka in Colombo at 2:30 pm (PST)
- Sept 14: Pakistan vs. Sri Lanka in Colombo at 2:30 pm (PST)
- Sept 15: India vs. Bangladesh in Colombo at 2:30 pm (PST)
The pinnacle of the tournament, the Asia Cup 2023 Final, is scheduled for Sept 17 in Colombo at 2:30 pm (PST), where the two best teams will lock horns for the prestigious title.
However, the lead-up to this stage has not been without controversy. The President of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), Jay Shah, stirred the cricketing world when it was revealed that the Super 4 matches would be held in Colombo, contrary to the initial plan to host them in Hambantota.
The decision to relocate the matches to Hambantota had been made due to an extended period of expected rain in Colombo, which threatened to disrupt the games. The decision was even conveyed to all members of the ACC through an official email.
Yet, in a surprising turn of events, the email was retracted, and it was announced that the matches would proceed as originally scheduled in Colombo. This unilateral decision by the ACC did not sit well with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), prompting them to call for an urgent meeting to address the matter.
As the controversy brews, players are left in a state of uncertainty, while Jay Shah, also the secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), finds himself once again at the center of scheduling disputes, reminiscent of the ICC World Cup 2023 schedule adjustments that sparked criticism within the cricketing community.
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