India Set To Defend Asia Cup Title As Tournament Is Likely To Be Hosted In UAE: Report

A lot has been talked and heard over the venue of for the upcoming edition of the Asia Cup. With Pakistan earning the rights for the tournament, there was question mark over the participation of India as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) insisted that they wanted to host the competition in their own backyard.

PCB CEO Wasim Khan had stated that while Pakistan would host the continental championship, India could play at a neutral venue. However, the PCB has reportedly agreed to host the Asia Cup in UAE. According to reports in Bangalore Mirror, the tough talk from Pakistan was only posturing.

A Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) official has told the news outlet that the board’s understanding is that the tournament will be held in Dubai, tentatively in September, just before the start of the World T20 in Australia.

Pakistan is the designated venue of the tournament, just like India was in 2018. But in view of the diplomatic tensions between the countries, the tournament was staged in UAE two years back and the same is likely to happen this year too.

“Our understanding is that the Asia Cup matter is resolved, and the neutral venue will be finalised at the ACC meeting,” the BCCI official said.

On the other hand, PCB chief Ehsan Mani refused to comment on the veneu, saying that it would be finalised by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC). The much-awaited meeting is likely to take place this month.

“It is an ACC matter and the venue will be decided at the ACC meeting,” he said.

India, meanwhile, are the defending champions of the Asia Cup. The Men in Blue had won the tournament in 2018 by beating Bangladesh in the final. The upcoming edition will also work as a dress rehearsal for the T20 World Cup.

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