After the 2023 Asia Cup schedule was announced by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), there was a palpable amount of excitement among fans of watching the high-drama India vs Pakistan clash on three occasions. As it stands, the fans will be deprived of the third game between the arch-rivals after Sri Lanka landed the knockout blow to Babar Azam & Co. in what was a virtual semi-final of the Asia Cup. As a result, Rohit Sharma's brigade will now square off against the Islanders in the summit clash on September 17 (Sunday).
No India vs Pakistan final, again!
It's hard to believe that two Asian cricketing powerhouses - India and Pakistan - have never played against each other in the final of the Asia Cup. A total of 15 editions of the continental tournament have been played so far (including the ongoing Asia Cup) and yet, the wait continues when it comes to watching a final between India and Pakistan. It's important to note that the inaugural edition of the Asia Cup didn't have a final match.
Every final of an Asia Cup has had either India or Pakistan participating in it but the two nations have not been able to qualify for the summit clash together even once. Sri Lanka have qualified for the Asia Cup final on 11 occasions, which is the most by any team in the history of the tournament. India remains second with 10 qualifications in the final while Pakistan have reached the summit clash five times.
When it comes to the most successful team in Asia Cup history, India holds the bragging rights with seven titles (6 in ODI format and 1 in T20I format). Sri Lanka have won the title six times (5 in the ODI format and 1 in the T20I format) while Pakistan have managed to win the Asia Cup only twice, both of which came in the ODI format.
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