Pakistan: The Asia Cup will be held according to Pakistan’s hybrid proposal after India declined to participate due to strained relations between the two South Asian countries.

The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has accepted the proposal, which includes four games to be hosted in Pakistan and the remaining nine to be played in Sri Lanka, as stated by the ACC.

According to the report, the Asia Cup will be played between August 31 and September 17 this year.

The ACC statement did not mention the venues for the tournament or which team will play where, but it is understood that India’s matches will be held in the island nation.

The compromise is aimed at forestalling a tit-for-tat boycott by India, which has not played in a bilateral series against Pakistan on either side’s soil since 2012. The rivals only play each other in international tournaments on neutral grounds.

“I am elated that our hybrid version for the Asia Cup has been accepted. 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 [Board of Control for Cricket in India] position. Like the PCB, the BCCI also requires government approval and clearance before crossing borders,” Pakistan Cricket Board head Mr. Najam Sethi commented.

The two hosts and the ACC will work on a schedule. Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and India will be divided into two groups. The top two teams in each league go to the Super Four, and the top two play in the final.

The Asia Cup will serve as a tune-up for the 50-over Cricket World Cup in India in October and November. The International Cricket Council is expected to announce the event’s schedule this week.

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