Asia Cup 2020 To Be Held At Neutral Venue, Confirms PCB

Ending all the speculations surrounding the hosting of the Asia Cup 2020, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed that the tournament will be held at a neutral venue. Pakistan did have the hosting rights for the competition but they had to agree to change the venue due to India’s stand.

India have suspended all of their bilateral ties with Pakistan and were set to boycott the Asia Cup in case the latter would have hosted it. PCB chief Ehsan Mani has admitted that since India’s non-participation wouldn’t enable the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) to generate as many funds as with the Men in Blue, the event will be held at a neutral venue to ensure all of the teams in the continent participate.

“There are so many new cricket-playing nations in Asia and they required funds for that. The organisers get the funds by hosting the Asia Cup. In case India stays out, it is unlikely that the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) would generate the required funds. Thus, we have decided not to force organisers to hold the Asia Cup in Pakistan,” Ehsan Mani told thenews.com.pk.

At the same time, Ehsan Mani insisted thatPakistan can run cricket effectively in the continent even without India. Both India and Pakistan have not played a full bilateral Test series against each other since 2007 when Pakistan visited India for three Tests and five One-Day Internationals. They played a short series of three ODIs and two T20s in India in December 2012, but otherwise, both have faced each other only in the ICC organised events or the Asia Cup.

“We have been hosting international events and the PSL also. We have proved that we can host these events without any outside help,” he asserted.

Earlier, BCCI president Sourav Ganguly had confirmed that the Asia Cup will be held in Dubai this year with both India and Pakistan as participants. At that time, Mani had claimed otherwise, saying that nothing was decided. Meanwhile, India are the defending champions of the competition.

Also Read: ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020: India Women vs Australia Women, Melbourne – Dream 11, Fantasy Tips, Predicted XI, Pitch Report And Injury Update