New Delhi: Pakistan’s Sports Minister Ehsan Mazari was repeatedly saying that if Team India does not come to our home to play the Asia Cup, then we too will not go to India to play the World Cup. But apart from the ongoing ICC meeting in Durban, South Africa, BCCI Secretary Jai Shah and PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf met. In this, an agreement has been made regarding the Asia Cup. The tournament will be played on the basis of the agreement made earlier i.e. on the hybrid model only. 4 matches will be held in Pakistan and 9 matches will be held in Sri Lanka. According to Pakistani media, Zaka Ashraf has invited Jay Shah to visit Pakistan during the Asia Cup.
Although the BCCI has made it clear that neither Team India nor any of its officials are going to Pakistan. The Asia Cup matches are to be held from 31 August to 17 September. The league round and Super-4 matches between India and Pakistan will be held in Dambulla. If both the teams reach the final, then this match will also be played at this venue. That is, 3 matches will be played between India and Pakistan on the same ground. The first match was to be held in Colombo, but due to rain, the organizers were forced to change the venue.
The investigation team will come to India
Pakistan’s PM Shahbaz Sharif has formed an investigation team for the World Cup. He will come to India and see the security of the team. After this, the final decision will be taken on the entry of the team in the World Cup. The matches of the World Cup will be played from October 5 to November 19. Pakistan has to play World Cup matches at 5 venues including the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Pakistan has expressed objection to playing the match in Ahmedabad as well. In such a situation, there may be a change in some of its venues. As happened in the 2016 T20 World Cup as well, then a match was shifted to Kolkata instead of Dharamshala.
The schedule may come soon
Now that India and Pakistan have agreed on the Asia Cup. In such a situation, its schedule can be released soon. Apart from both teams, teams from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Nepal are participating in the tournament. India and Pakistan have been placed in the same group. Last year it was organized in UAE and the Sri Lankan team became the champion. Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan in the final of the Asia Cup played on the basis of T20 format. Team India could not reach the finals.
Talking about the history of the Asia Cup, it is being played since 1984. The Indian team is one of the most successful teams in history. It is now played on the basis of both ODI and T20 formats. Team India has won the Asia Cup 7 times. This includes the title of 6 ODI formats and one T20 format. In such a situation, under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma, the team would like to repeat history again.
