SLC still keen to host Asia Cup 2022

Sri Lanka Cricket Secretary Mohan de Silva

Sri Lanka, the second most successful team in the Asia Cup, last hosted the tournament in 2010

• Will lose hosting fee of $ 2.5 m if played elsewhere

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

Sri Lanka Cricket have still not given up hopes of hosting the 15th edition of the Asia Cup in August despite pressure being brought on by some of the participating countries to move it out and play it elsewhere, most probably in the UAE.

“We haven’t reached any finality yet, we are still trying to persuade the countries to play in Sri Lanka,” said Sri Lanka Cricket secretary Mohan de Silva. “The decision is still in the balance but we haven’t ruled out the possibility of playing it here.”

Due to the current economic instability in the country some of the participating countries have expressed concern of playing the tournament in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) is keen to host the Asia Cup because the amount of revenue it will generate will not only be beneficial to them but also to the country. The total amount SLC and the country is bound to receive if the Asia Cup is held in Sri Lanka is around $ 5.5-6 million. 

In the event the tournament is moved outside Sri Lanka, SLC would still receive its share of revenue which is around $ 2.5-3 million, but the hosting fee of $ 2.5 million would go to the country where the tournament is held, even though Sri Lanka would hold the hosting rights. Thus it is imperative that Sri Lanka host the Asia Cup and generate the much needed foreign exchange to the country with the participation of the six countries.

The tournament that usually alternates between ODI and T20 cricket formats was last played in 2018 and won by India. The COVID-19 pandemic had forced the postponement of the 2020 edition. Sri Lanka was supposed to host the 2020 edition but the pandemic first pushed the event to 2021 before finally being moved to 2022. Pakistan, who was originally supposed to host the 2022 Asia Cup has the hosting rights for the 2023 edition. 

The tournament is scheduled to be played from 27 August to 11 September with a qualification tournament to be played from 20 August to decide on the sixth team in the competition. The five full member countries of the ICC – India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan will be joined by one qualifying country from the Asian region. 

“We will have to take a final decision in the next couple of days because the broadcasters have to be given sufficient time to market their sponsors. We intend to take it up with the government authorities and ensure we host the Asia Cup,” said De Silva.

Sri Lanka, the second most successful team in the Asia Cup with five wins after India (seven wins) last hosted the tournament in 2010. 

Prior to hosting the Asia Cup, Sri Lanka has two important cricket tours to undertake between the months of June and August. Australia is due to arrive today to commence a full tour that would include three T20Is, five ODIs and two Test matches, followed by a two-Test tour by Pakistan. Hosting the Australian tour successfully would considerably strengthen Sri Lanka’s hand to hold the Asia Cup.

“Cricket Australia has been very accommodative and supportive of going ahead with the tour to Sri Lanka and we are taking all steps to ensure that everything runs smoothly,” said De Silva.

When questioned whether it would be possible to play the Asia Cup matches which are in T20 format and also the white ball matches against Australia during the day because of the frequent power cuts the country is experiencing at present, De Silva replied: “The broadcasting rights have been sold by the ACC for the Asia Cup and we have to conform to their requirements, which means the matches will have to be played in the night. 

“The chances of changing the night games to day games is also ruled out because the broadcasters would have sold their rights to the sponsors indicating the type of matches to be played during the tour. There are also logistic problems you face when you try to change the time.”