2022-07-16T16:44:40+05:30
Sri Lanka recently hosted Australia for a full-fledged tour and are currently hosting Pakistan for a two-Test series (Photo: AFP)
Sri Lanka are likely to get the nod to host the Asia Cup 2022 with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) extending its full backing to the Island Nation to host the tournament, scheduled to be played from August 27 to September 11. The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) officials discussed the hosting of Asia Cup 2022 on Friday and are currently reviewing the situation before taking the final call on the tournament.
Though the ACC members are backing Sri Lanka to host Asia Cup, the fast-changing situation in the country could put the tournament in jeopardy. A final call on Asia Cup 2022 is expected to be taken next week, News9 Sports has learnt.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is being looked at as a backup in case the economic crisis and mass protests in Sri Lanka worsen in the coming week. The ACC had kept Bangladesh as a back-up, however, monsoon season in the Asian country could force the tournament to be moved to the Arabian peninsula.
The Island Nation is witnessing an unprecedented economic crisis followed by mass protests which forced President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to flee the country before eventually resigning from the post.
With protests and political unrest increasing with each passing day, a few questions were raised about whether Sri Lanka would be able to host a multi-nation tournament. However, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) have received tremendous backing from the PCB and even the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). While most of the Asia Cup-playing countries want Sri Lanka to host the tournament, the officials are keeping a close tab on the developments in the country.
Six teams will be competing for the Asia Cup, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, and one qualifier. Ahead of the main tournament, a qualifier is scheduled to take place among the teams of Hong Kong, Kuwait, Singapore, and UAE.
After PTI reported that PCB chairman Ramiz Raja has assured Sri Lanka that Pakistan want them to retain the hosting rights, PCB CEO Faisal Hasnain on Saturday came out in support of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).
“Pakistan wants the Asia Cup to be held in Sri Lanka. After the successful series in Australia, now our team is also present in Sri Lanka for the two-match Test series. However, the final decision on the venue of the tournament is to be taken by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC). We have already talked to ACC officials, they are reviewing the situation, and we will accept their decision,” Faisal said.
Earlier, BCCI president Sourav Ganguly had said that the situation in Sri Lanka is being monitored closely before the officials take a final call.
“I cannot comment now. We are monitoring the situation in Sri Lanka. The Australian cricket team has just completed their tour of Sri Lanka. We have to wait another month to be sure whether the Asia Cup will be organised there or not. I can comment only after that,” Ganguly told ANI.
Mohan de Silva, secretary at Sri Lanka Cricket, has also shared his optimism about hosting Asia Cup 2022.
“As far as we are concerned, we are still very confident of hosting the tournament in Sri Lanka,” de Silva told ESPNCricinfo on Thursday. “We have just hosted the Australian tour with two Tests in Galle, and Pakistan are in the country as well.” When asked if there has been any pressure to move from the ACC, he said “not really”.
If Sri Lanka lose out on hosting Asia Cup 2022, its cricket body SLC will incur losses to the tune of USD 5-6 million.
Sri Lanka recently hosted Australia for a full-fledged tour and are currently hosting Pakistan for a two-Test series. The PCB has confirmed the visitors had not been affected by the political strife in the country.
Sri Lanka Cricket extends a Big Thank You to our fans for supporting us to make the Australia Tour of Sri Lanka 2022 a smashing success. 🙌 #SLvAUS pic.twitter.com/osr3bELh7T
However, the second Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka may be moved from Colombo to Galle, owing to the likely political demonstrations in the capital.
The party meeting was called to discuss strategy following Nitish Kumar’s unexpected move to call off the alliance and…
The Madras High Court also ordered maintenance of the status quo as of June 23.
The Supreme Court said that freebies must not be confused with social welfare and political parties cannot be prevented…
According to reports, the RJD lawmaker was to surrender in Danapur court on August 16 in a kidnapping case.
A bench comprising Justices DY Chandrachud, AS Bopanna and JB Pardiwala has adjourned the hearing after hearing the…
The accident took place when the driver of a speeding truck headed towards Jaipur lost control.
Hundreds spent the night at the UNESCO World Heritage Site for the annual meteor show that stretches along the orbit of…
The Liger actor took to social media and shared a video of his time celebrating India’s 76th Independence Day with the…
The Liger actors treated their fans on Monday by posting a series of images of their promotional getup in which Ananya…
Helicopters such as the Chetak, Cheetah and Dhruv provide logistical support for the Indian Army in remote and…
She-Hulk: Attorney At Law is led by actress Tatiana Maslany. The MCU is going green with Marvel Studios’ She-Hulk:…
Indian actors and artists who were part of the celebration in person were Abhishek Bachchan, Taapsee Pannu, Tamannaah…
Veteran voice actor has lent his voice to numerous video games, films and TV shows
There is no provision under CRPC to demolish the house of an accused person as is being done in UP
Several firefights have broken out between security forces and militants, especially in the month of May
SP and BJP blame each other for sparking violence in Kanpur on Friday
