The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) announced the new pathway structure and Cricket Calendar for 2023 & 2024.

According to the release the Asia Cup, to be played in 50-over format and will be held in September this year, though the itinerary and the host country have not been announced yet.

Pakistan is the original host of the Asia Cup this year but the BCCI is not keen on playing there owing to political tension between the two countries. The Asia Cup 2023 will be a six-team affair involving India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and a qualifier team. India and Pakistan in the same group along with Qualifier 1. While Bangladesh, SriLanka, and Afghanistan form the other group.

Sri Lanka are the defending Asia Cup champions in the UAE after they beat Pakistan in the final.

The ACC will be hosting the Challenger Cup and Premier Cup for the first time ever. To elucidate, under the revised pathway structure, the 10 Associate teams ranking 9 and above in Asia will play in the ‘ACC Challenger Cup’. The 2 finalists from the Challenger Cup will then go on to join Asia’s top 8 ranked associate teams in the ‘ACC Premier Cup’, which will accordingly see participation from 10 teams. The winning team of the ACC Men’s Premier Cup will then qualify for the Men’s Asia Cup 2023.

The new pathways envisage a linear structure for events giving each of our Associates the opportunity to be part of the journey to the Asia Cup. The ACC is optimistic that the new model will further Associate involvement and participation and is sure to boost enthusiasm and engagement with the sport across the region. This will also allow Associate Members to rank up as well.

In addition to the above, it has been decided proposed that venues for the upcoming pathways events will be decided through an “Expression of Interest” (“EOI”) process through which ACC Members will be invited to submit their EOIs in hosting the ACC pathway tournaments. The ACC is hopeful that this opportunity to host ACC events will help cement a legacy of cricket culture across the region.

Mr. Jay Shah, President, Asian Cricket Council said “The Asian Cricket Council pathway structure and cricket calendar for 2023 & 2024 are designed to provide a better context of cricket across nations, engaging sports and culture while also providing a legacy for future generations. This is an opportunity for all players, supporters, and fans to come together in a unified force. We hope the following years will provide ample opportunity for all the countries’ cricketing talent to make it onto an international stage.”