Breaking: Asia Cup 2020 Postponed, Sri Lanka To Host Tournament In 2021
Published - 09 Jul 2020, 08:40 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:31 AM
Putting an end to all the speculations and the confusion surrounding Asia Cup 2020, the Asian Cricket Council, on Thursday, confirmed that the tournament has been postponed.
The tournament was scheduled to take place in the United Arab Emirates in September this year. Pakistan were to host the tournament but India weren’t willing to travel to Pakistan. The BCCI had earlier stated that it didn’t have a problem with Pakistan hosting the Asia Cup, as long as it was held at a neutral venue.
Later, reports emerged that Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has given Sri Lanka the opportunity to host the competition. And while Sri Lanka will definitely host the tournament, it will do it in 2021 if situation allows. The ACC confirmed the news while stating that they are targeting to conduct the tournament in June next year. The ACC also announced that PCB have the rights for the tournament in 2022.
“From the onset the Board was keen on organising the tournament as per the original schedule. However, travel restrictions, country-specific quarantine requirements, fundamental health risks and social distancing mandates have posed as substantial challenges to the holding of the Asia Cup. Above all, the risks related to health and safety of participating players, support staff, commercial partners, fans and the cricketing community were deemed to be significant,” stated ACC in the statement.
“Accordingly, the Board, after careful consideration of all the above factors, has determined that the Asia Cup 2020 be postponed. Conducting the event in a responsible manner remains the priority of the ACC and the Board is hopeful that the tournament will be held in 2021. The ACC is currently working towards securing June 2021 as a suitable window for the same.
“It may also be noted that the hosts for the Asia Cup 2020, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), has exchanged hosting rights for the tournament with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). Through this arrangement, the SLC will now host the rescheduled Asia Cup expected in June 2021 while the PCB will host the Asia Cup 2022,” added the statement.
