In a huge setback to Pakistan, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) on Monday
decided to move the Asia Cup out of the country after PCB’s proposal to
host the tournament on a ‘hybrid model’ was rejected by the member nations.
Sri Lanka has emerged as a front runner to host the six-nation tournament
as extremely humid conditions in the UAE in the month of September could
lead to injuries to players. It will be interesting to see if Pakistan,
after this snub, competes in the tournament, scheduled to be held from
September 2-17.
decided to move the Asia Cup out of the country after PCB’s proposal to
host the tournament on a ‘hybrid model’ was rejected by the member nations.
Sri Lanka has emerged as a front runner to host the six-nation tournament
as extremely humid conditions in the UAE in the month of September could
lead to injuries to players. It will be interesting to see if Pakistan,
after this snub, competes in the tournament, scheduled to be held from
September 2-17.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was forced to propose an alternative after
BCCI refused to send the Indian team to the neighbouring nation due to
diplomatic tension between the two countries.
The PCB is hopeful that there will be another round of discussions on
Tuesday in case there is a change of heart.
PCB had proposed that India play their games in the UAE while Pakistan host
their matches on home soil.
“Najam Sethi (PCB chairman) was in Dubai today to procure support but to
his horror there were no takers for his proposal of Pakistan playing its
games in Karachi or Lahore and India playing in UAE. Sri Lanka was always
with BCCI and now even Bangladesh Cricket Board seemed opposed to the
idea,” an ACC source said.
