New Delhi: This year, there has been a lot of excitement among cricket fans as they anticipate at least two matches between India and Pakistan, the two nations' bitter rivals. Prior to resuming their rivalry at the ODI World Cup in October, both countries will play each other in the Asia Cup. However, while the date and location of their match at the latter event are already known, there has been a great deal of conjecture around the same in the continental competition.

Arun Dhumal, the current chairman of the Indian Premier League, has reportedly put an end to rumors and announced that the team will play Pakistan in Sri Lanka despite controversy surrounding the Asia Cup scheduling. India won't go to Pakistan for the 2023 Asia Cup; instead, all of their matches would be played in the island nation, according to a report .

After BCCI Secretary Jay Shah met with Pakistan Cricket Board Representative Head Zaka Ashraf, a decision was made. Dhumal claims that Pakistan will host four of the tournament's games, with Sri Lanka hosting the remaining eight.

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"Our secretary met PCB head Zaka Ashraf and the Asia Cup schedule was finalised and it is on course as it was discussed earlier. There will be four games of league stage in Pakistan, followed by 9 games in Sri Lanka including both India versus Pakistan game and in case a third game if both teams play final," Dhumal told.

He denied media rumors that India might visit a neighboring nation, as claimed by Pakistan's sports minister Ehsan Mazari in some circles.

“There was no such discussion held. Neither India is travelling to Pakistan nor our secretary will be travelling contrary to reports that have surfaced. Only the schedule was finalised,” he said.

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According to the report, India would likely play Pakistan in Sri Lanka's Dambulla just like the 2010 edition. The sole home game for Pakistan will be against Nepal. Bangladesh versus Sri Lanka, Afghanistan versus Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka versus Afghanistan are the other three matches.

Since Bangladesh last hosted the continental competition in 2016, the Asia Cup has not been held in the subcontinent. Since then, the United Arab Emirates has hosted both editions (2018 and 2022).

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