LAHORE/ISLAMABAD: The Punjab Interior Ministry has formally requested the deployment of the Pakistan Army for security during the Asia Cup 2023.
They have submitted a summary outlining the deployment of Rangers and the Army for the Asia Cup to the federal government.
Once the Interior Ministry approves it, they will allocate the services of Rangers and the Pakistan Army to the Punjab government
The Asia Cup for this year will commence with Pakistan, the host nation, facing Nepal in the opening match on August 30 in Multan. Pakistan will host four matches, including a Super 4s fixture.
India will host its group stage matches, notably the highly-anticipated encounter against Pakistan on September 2, in Kandy, with the remaining Super 4s matches, including the final, set to be conducted in Colombo.
In the event that both teams qualify for the Super 4s, arch-rivals Pakistan and India will once again meet on September 10 in Colombo.
The Asia Cup schedule, similar to the previous edition, holds the potential for up to three Pakistan-India matches in a single tournament if both teams simultaneously reach the final, a first in the history of the tournament.
However, the upcoming Asia Cup features six teams, divided into two groups. The top two teams from each group will advance to the Super 4s stage.
Scheduled from August 31 to September 17, the tournament will adopt the ODI format, serving as a preparation ground for the Asian teams gearing up for the upcoming ICC Men’s World Cup.
Pakistan, serving as the host, shares a group with arch-rivals India and Nepal. The other group consists of defending champions and co-hosts Sri Lanka, along with Bangladesh and Afghanistan.
Zaka Ashraf And Wahab Riaz Meet To Discuss Asia Cup Security
Zaka Ashraf, the Head of the Management Committee of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), met with Wahab Riaz, the Sports Advisor to the Punjab Chief Minister, to discuss security arrangements for the upcoming Asia Cup. The Punjab Government assured the PCB that comprehensive security measures would be implemented for all participating teams in the Asia Cup.
During the tenure of Najam Sethi, there were disagreements between the PCB and the Punjab government. However, following this meeting, the PCB expressed satisfaction with the Provincial Government’s stance.
