Sri Lanka likely to host Asia Cup as India unwilling to play in Pakistan

Nepal Views

Kathmandu: Sri Lanka is likely to host the upcoming Asia Cup with the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) set to move the tournament from Pakistan.

The decision to shift the event from the original host country was always on the cards from the moment BCCI secretary Jay Shah said that the Indian team would not travel across the border.

Though nothing is final as of yet, but the final venue for the tournament is expected to be announced by May-end. With reports of the venue being shifted, it is highly predicted that Pakistan may boycott participating in it.

While Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) continues to show interest in keeping the tournament at home, with BCCI finding support from other member nations of the ACC, the decision seems a formality at the moment.

After the BCCI refused to travel to Pakistan for the tournament citing lack of clearance from the government, the PCB had proposed a hybrid model to host the Asia Cup where India’s matches alone would be hosted in Dubai.

However, that proposal has received no takers with the tournament broadcaster also expressing concerns over it. Moreover, with September being peak summer in the United Arab Emirates, the other boards had reservations about playing in the Gulf region, a month before the 50-over World Cup.

During a recent informal meeting of the ACC members, it is understood that even Oman offered to host the tournament, but keeping the conditions in mind, Sri Lanka has been considered an ideal destination.

If Pakistan decides to participate in the Asia Cup 2023, the tournament will be a six-team event. This time, Nepal have qualified for the tournament too and other teams will be India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

The Asia Cup 2023 is tentatively scheduled to take place between 2-17 September.