Asia Cup: Don’t believe in counting my chickens too much, says Rahul Dravid on prospect of IND vs PAK final

By India Today Sports Desk: The much-awaited Asia Cup 2023 schedule is out, with India kick starting their campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan on September 2. The continental event could witness three potential clashes between the two teams, if they reach the Super 4s and the final.

India head coach Rahul Dravid acknowledged the excitement around the possibility of facing Pakistan three times in the Asia Cup, but maintained that he would approach the tournament “one game at a time”. He also noted that playing Pakistan in the final would be a “great contest” but stressed that India need to take one step at a time.

“The schedule is out and you have to qualify for the Super4s to play Pakistan three times, so one step at a time. I don’t believe in counting my chickens too much. I want to play one game at a time,” said Dravid, who is in Trinidad with India for their ongoing multi-format series against West Indies.

“We know we have to play Pakistan and Nepal in the first two games, we need to focus on that, we need to play good cricket, we need to win those games and then see where the tournament goes. If we get the opportunity to play them three times, I think that is fantastic, that means we reach the final of the tournament and hopefully Pakistan reach the final as well. That will be a great contest and great for us and we certainly aim to do that, we certainly want to play right up to the final and win that final but we have to take the first two steps before.”

India, Pakistan, and Nepal are in the same three-team Group A, which means India and Pakistan are likely to face each other in a Super 4 clash on September 10. As the two dominant teams in the region, there is a chance they may meet for a third time in the final.

The designated venues for the important group and Super 4 matches are Kandy and Colombo in Sri Lanka. Initially, the event was planned to have three venues, but now there will be four venues as per the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), who is the host of the six-team championship.

Colombo is one of the hosting venues in Sri Lanka, with the R Premadasa Stadium being selected to host games. The championship kicks off in Multan on August 30 with a match between Pakistan and Nepal, and the remaining three games allotted to Pakistan, including a second-round Super 4 match, will take place in Lahore. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, will host nine games, including the final.