Asia Cup 2022 to be assigned to UAE?

The destiny of Asia Cup is by all accounts changing continuously as the political fluidity in Sri Lanka and the most recent developments indicates a change as opposed to status quo. Solid signs are that the six-group continental tournament could be moved out of the island country and assigned to the UAE.

As per information acquired from various member boards of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), endeavours to move the 16-day occasion have been started. Conversations are accepted to have occurred between the ACC and the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) in UAE. The SLC is being kept in the know and the title is supposed to be hung on similar dates as reported previously, August 26 to September 11.

The current situation with the SLC is not the same as what it was a couple of weeks ago when the Lanka board, under tension from the government, consented to host the event. Be that as it may, things have definitely changed throughout the last one week, with the President of the nation having escaped and another President introduced. The nation has been on an overflow with fierce fights against the political foundation.

“In such a scenario, it is being felt that hosting the championship is not appropriate,” a member of the ACC told Cricbuzz on Saturday (July 16).

An SLC official echoed the view stating that there is a strong possibility of a shift. Incidentally, the SLC has successfully hosted Australia for a full series and is currently playing host to the Pakistan team.

Asia Cup 2022 likely to be shifted to UAE. (Reported by Inside Sport).

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) April 21, 2022

Be that as it may, an assertion from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Saturday morning appeared to project an alternate situation.

“Our first preference is to support Sri Lanka and play the Asia Cup there. If this tournament does not take place in Sri Lanka, it will be a huge cricketing and financial loss for them. Australia’s recent tour of Sri Lanka went off without any problems. Similarly, there have been no issues with the on-going Pakistan tour of Sri Lanka as we are constantly in touch with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and our embassy in the country. Our discussions with the ACC representatives have suggested that the tournament is on track at the moment as they are monitoring the situation very carefully and we will support their decision,”

Faisal Hasnain, PCB CEO, said.

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He also spoke of Pakistan hosting the next edition. “The 50-over Asia Cup next year will be quite significant for us as it will be in preparation of our facilities and venues for the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025. Moreover, the Asia Cup will serve as a warm-up for the participating teams for the ICC Cricket World Cup later that year in India,”

the PCB official said.

The next release is over a year away and the ACC’s current focus is on the ongoing edition. ACC president Jay Shah is believed to supervise things. A declaration could come soon.