Asia Cup 2018: Broadcaster and sponsors force the organisers to change the match timings

The schedule for the upcoming edition of Asia Cup was recently revealed and the excitement is abuzz ever since it is known that there is a possibility of at least two India-Pakistan ties during the tournament. The format has been changed this time around and if all goes well, the arch-rivals might meet thrice including the final of the competition. However, the match timings have been changed now as the broadcaster and the Indian sponsors sense an opportunity to fetch the right value for money.

Earlier, the matches were scheduled to start at 3.30 PM local time (5 PM IST) and the broadcast would’ve gone well past midnight. The viewership would’ve affected as well and the broadcaster didn’t want to take any chances in that aspect. The good sense has prevailed finally and the games have been rescheduled to 2 PM local time (3.30 PM IST) now.

India and Pakistan are likely to meet thrice in 12 days which has generated more interest than ever in the Asia Cup this year. “The fact that the two teams can potentially meet thrice in just 12 days gives a unique opportunity to the brands which are eyeing to  make an impact or planning to launch new products around this time,” Arshad Nizam Shawl, director and co-founder of Alliance Advertising and Marketing, India’s leading media buyers in sports was quoted as saying by Inside Sport.

What is the new format of the Asia Cup?

Asia Cup, unlike its previous edition, will witness One-Day Internationals this time and six teams will compete for the ultimate glory. They have been divided into two groups of three teams and the top two sides from each group will then play the super 4 round which has been introduced for the first time ever. The top two teams then will contest in the final and the winner will be crowned as the Asian Champions.

The blockbuster clash between India and Pakistan will be played on September 19 as the tournament will get underway on 15th with Sri Lanka facing Bangladesh.

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