REVEALED! Reason why there is a delay in the announcement of the Asia Cup 2023 program

Asia Cup 2023: Colombo as a venue is the problem as it rains there at this time of year.

Asia Cup 2023 Schedule to be released this week, Sri Lanka venues doubtful. (Photo: Twitter)

Bombay: The ICC announced the ODI World Cup 2023 schedule last week amid much speculation and controversy over venues. On the other hand, the Asia Cup, which takes place before the World Cup, has yet to announce its schedule. So why is there an unnecessary delay? According to a report on InsideSport, Colombo as a location is the problem as it rains there at this time of year. According to the same report, Colombo was hoping to receive India-Pakistan, but it may not happen now.

“There are still some last-minute details to be discussed. The provisional program has been shared with the members. It should be out this week. Colombo is a problem because of monsoon season. We had ideally hoped for the India-Pakistan match in Colombo, but rain could be an issue,” a BCCI official told InsideSport.

Under the hybrid model that would be in place during the Asia Cup, the first four matches would be held in Lahore, Pakistan, and then the caravan would move to Sri Lanka, where the remainder of the tournament will be played. The tournament starts on August 31 with the final on September 17 in Sri Lanka.

Future Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Zaka Ashraf did a complete ‘volte-face’ by accepting the four matches awarded to the original hosts.

The hybrid model, with the Asia Cup jointly hosted by Pakistan and Sri Lanka, will see India play all of their matches, including two against the island’s arch-rivals.

The model was proposed by Ashraf’s predecessor and bete noire Najam Sethi and the banker, who will take over the reins of PCB on June 27, had “rejected” the idea at a media conference.