Asia Cup 2023: Why the mega event will be played in ODI format and not T20I?

Once considered the mini-version of the World Cup, Asia Cup has gradually shaped into a preparatory platform for the World Cup. Whichever World Cup (ODI or T20I) is being held that year, the Asia Cup is molded into the same format.

Now-a-days, Asian Cricket Council (ACC) organises the Asia Cup the same year when the World Cup is taking place. Whichever format of the World Cup it is (T20 or 50-over), the Asia Cup takes that form. 

As a result, the Asian teams consider it as a platform to have a good preparation for the World Cup and benefit from this approach.

The Asia Cup started 1984 in the ODI format. However, there was change in the format of the tournament after the introduction of T20s. The last ODI Asia Cup was held in 2019, the same year the last World Cup in the format was held. It was the Indian team that emerged champion that year. 

The current edition of the Asia Cup will be co-hosted by Pakistan and Sri Lanka. This event will also mark the debut of Nepal in the mega tournament.