Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Jay Shah has finally revealed the 2023-24 calendar of cricket-playing nations in the continent. 2023 will be commencing with Men’s 50-over Challenger Cup in February which will be followed by the Men’s U16 Regional tournament, Men’s Premier Cup, Women’s T20 Emerging Team Asia Cup, and many other tournaments in the year.

The year 2023 will get concluded with Men’s U19 Asia Cup scheduled to be taking place in December. However, the Men’s ODI Asia Cup to be held in September has taken the major highlight in the calendar presented by Shah as arch-rivals India and Pakistan have landed in the same group. The 2024 calendar will begin with the Men’s T20 Challenger Cup in February and conclude with Men’s T20 Emerging Team Asia Cup in December.

Presenting the @ACCMedia1 pathway structure & cricket calendars for 2023 & 2024! This signals our unparalleled efforts & passion to take this game to new heights. With cricketers across countries gearing up for spectacular performances, it promises to be a good time for cricket! pic.twitter.com/atzBO4XjIn

— Jay Shah (@JayShah) January 5, 2023

It is to be noted that there is an intense debate going on over the venue of the 2023 Asia Cup and it started up after Jay Shah clarified that India won’t be traveling to Pakistan for the tournament and it should be shifted to a neutral venue.

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However, several Pakistan cricketers including former PCB chief, Ramiz Raja opposed Shah’s statements where Raja recently added that they couldn’t be acting as India’s servants because they are a world power.

During a chat with WION, Ramiz Raja said, “What is leadership? When Asian Cricket Council has asked Pakistan to host a tournament and then India says they won’t travel to Pakistan and shift the tournament to a neutral venue, what should be the response? Are we servants of India just because they are a world power in cricket? Should we listen to everything they say?””

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He further added, “The Pakistan cricket team is enjoying a great run; you have a good fan following; you have superstars, so please give your team and fans the respect they deserve. There should be a decision on the matter, as the tournament was given to Pakistan, so how can it be shifted to a neutral venue without consulting us or the ACC members.”