PCB Chief Ehsan Mani Contradicts Sourav Ganguly's Claim For Dubai As Asia Cup 2020 Venue

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Ehsan Mani has come up with a startling claim stating that Asia Cup 2020 venue has not yet been finalized. Earlier, BCCI President Sourav Ganguly had claimed that the Asia Cup has been shifted to Dubai from Pakistan.

India and Pakistan have strained-relationship owing to the skirmishes, and this has affected the cricketing ties too between both the countries. They have not played bilateral cricket for years now and things don’t seem good in the future too.

Both the countries come up against each other in multi-nation tournaments at neutral venues.

International cricket had been away from Pakistan as the country was marred with terrorism and other national teams did not go to Pakistan, to play bilateral cricket. However, in recent times, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh had successful tours to the country.

Also, for the first time in history, the premier franchise T20 league tournament of the world, the Pakistan Super League (PSL) is being played entirely in Pakistan since the tournament’s inception.

PCB held the rights to conduct the Asia Cup this year and they decided that it will be played in Pakistan. However, BCCI refused Indian players’ participation if the tournament took place in Pakistan.

Recently, the BCCI President Ganguly earlier said that the tournament has been shifted to Dubai in UAE and both India and Pakistan will play.

Ehsan Mani Denies Ganguly’s Claims:

“The Asia Cup is organised for the benefit of the Associate Members. We will take a decision keeping that in mind. A final decision will be taken bearing in mind the interests of all the Asian countries. We have a few options,”  Ehsan Mani told The Indian Express.

The threat of coronavirus has also been looming large on sporting encounters all across Asia, with the dilemma over Tokyo Olympics already keeping the participating nations engaged in a debate.

“Look, the Asia Cup is in September and we are in February. But if it (coronavirus outbreak) gets out of control, then we have to be prepared for any eventuality. So the matter could be discussed as a secondary issue,” Mani further said.

The Asia Cup 2920 will take place in September this year. The last edition of the tournament took place in the year 2018 where India went on to win it under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma.

Also Read: Asia Cup To Take Place In Dubai; Both India And Pakistan To Participate, Confirms Sourav Ganguly