In a noteworthy development, the Indian cricket team’s jersey for the upcoming Asia Cup will feature the name of Pakistan for the very first time.
The Asia Cup is set to commence on August 30, kicking off with a match between Pakistan and Nepal. Originally intended to be held entirely in Pakistan, the event has undergone a change due to India’s decision not to send its team. Consequently, four matches will take place in Pakistani venues, while the rest will be hosted in Sri Lanka.
This marks a departure from tradition, as India has never included Pakistan’s name on its team jerseys before. However, as the official host of the Asia Cup this time around, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has been obliged to incorporate Pakistan’s name along with the Asia Cup logo onto its team jerseys, albeit reluctantly. As the Indian team takes to the field during the Asia Cup, the players’ shirts will display the name of Pakistan.
One of the highly anticipated clashes of the tournament is the match between Pakistan and India, scheduled for September 2, expected to draw a capacity crowd in Kandy. Should both teams progress to the Super 4 stage and potentially the finals, there could be a total of three encounters between these perennial rivals. Enthusiastic fans are eagerly looking forward to witnessing the intense competition between the two teams.
The Asia Cup holds significant importance for the experienced Indian players, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who are keen to regain their confidence by putting up strong performances with the bat ahead of the World Cup. The Indian cricket team is also set to undergo a training camp before the Asia Cup, and ticket sales for the event are expected to commence soon.