Asian Games 2023 Cricket Extravaganza: Schedule, Streaming, and Teams

Asian Games 2023 Cricket Extravaganza: Schedule, Streaming, and Teams

The Asian Games 2023 is gearing up to be a cricketing spectacle, set to take place in Hangzhou, China. Cricket aficionados are in for a treat as both men’s and women’s T20 cricket tournaments are on the cards. Teams like India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, who have been granted direct entry into the quarter-finals, promise a riveting showdown. Let’s delve into the details of this highly anticipated cricket extravaganza.

The Cricketing Comeback

Cricket enthusiasts will remember that the sport was part of the Asian Games in 2010 and 2014 but conspicuously absent in 2018. The 2023 edition marks a triumphant return of cricket to the Asian Games after a five-year hiatus, sparking excitement and anticipation among fans and players alike.

Men’s T20 Cricket Tournament

The men’s T20 cricket tournament is scheduled to kick off on September 27 and will culminate with the bronze and gold medal matches on October 7. Featuring 15 teams, this tournament promises high-octane action. The top-seeded teams will commence their journey right from the quarter-finals, while the remaining 11 teams will battle it out in the group stage. Winners from the group stage will earn the coveted spots in the quarter-finals.

The tournament’s structure combines group stages and direct entries to the quarter-finals. Teams have been divided into four groups for the initial phase:

• Group A: Afghanistan and Mongolia
• Group B: Cambodia, Japan, and Nepal
• Group C: Hong Kong, Singapore, and Thailand
• Group D: Malaysia, Bahrain, and Maldives

Adding to the excitement, top-seeded teams like India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh have been accorded direct entry into the quarter-finals, bypassing the rigors of the group stages.

Women’s T20 Cricket Tournament

The women’s T20 cricket event is scheduled from September 19 to 25, promising an action-packed week. Similar to the men’s tournament, top-seeded teams secure direct berths into the quarter-finals. The remaining teams are divided into two groups, setting the stage for round-robin matches and a quarter-final qualifier to determine the top eight teams competing in the quarter-finals.

The groups for the women’s tournament are as follows:

• Group A: Indonesia and Mongolia
• Group B: Hong Kong and Malaysia

Mirroring the men’s category, top-seeded teams such as India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh have clinched direct entry into the quarter-finals, ensuring a star-studded contest.

How to Tune In

For those eager to catch every gripping moment live, the matches will be available for streaming on Sony Liv. Additionally, the Sony Sports Network TV channels in India will broadcast the matches live, ensuring fans don’t miss a beat.

Venue and Timings

All the cricketing action, for both men and women, will unfold at the Zhejiang University of Technology Pingfeng Cricket Field. To ensure you don’t miss your favorite matches, here are the match timings (Indian time):

Asian Games 2023 Men’s Cricket Schedule:

• September 27, Wednesday: Nepal vs Japan (Group B) – 6:30 AM
• September 27, Wednesday: Hong Kong vs Singapore (Group C) – 11:30 AM
• September 28, Thursday: Malaysia vs Bahrain (Group D) – 6:30 AM
• September 28, Thursday: Japan vs Cambodia (Group B) – 11:30 AM

Asian Games 2023 Women’s Cricket Schedule:

• September 19, Tuesday: Hong Kong vs Malaysia (Group B) – 6:30 AM
• September 19, Tuesday: Indonesia vs Mongolia (Group A) – 11:30 AM
• September 21, Thursday: Malaysia vs Mongolia (Group B) – 6:30 AM
• September 21, Thursday: Hong Kong vs Indonesia (Group A) – 11:30 AM

The return of cricket to the Asian Games is poised to be an exhilarating event. Fans worldwide are gearing up to witness top-notch cricketing talent in action as teams battle it out for supremacy in Hangzhou, China. With the spotlight firmly on the thrilling matches ahead, cricket aficionados have every reason to be excited about the Asian Games 2023.