Sri Lanka to host the Asia Cup in Dubai?

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

 There is a likelihood of the Asia Cup which Sri Lanka is the host, being moved to Dubai due to the political unrest that broke out in the country yesterday.

Sri Lanka Cricket will discuss the formalities of hosting the tournament in Dubai at their Executive Committee meeting scheduled for today.

The Asia Cup which involves six countries is due to take place between 27 August and 11 September and is played in T20 format. The five full member Asian countries – Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan plus one team from qualifiers from the Asian region make up the six teams. The qualifiers are due to be played from 20 August.

Sri Lanka Cricket sources said that they have to take a call by the end of the month where the Asia Cup will be held.

Also down for discussion will be the tour here by Australia which has been confirmed from 7 June to 12 July. SLC sources said that they have another month or so to play around and hoped the situation would ease by then because Australia had shown positive vibes of making the tour to Sri Lanka. SLC would review the situation in another week or so.

Meanwhile SLC has scrapped the three ODIs against Pakistan scheduled during their tour to Sri Lanka in July with only the two Tests which are part of the ICC World Test Championship to be played. The tour dates are yet to be finalised.

SLC sources stated that they have decided to hold only the Tests because the ODIs would not count towards the World Super League points. The ODIs were added as part of the tour itinerary, but with Sri Lanka having a crowded cricket program between June and September and the matches not being part of the World Super League, SLC has decided to do away with it.

Following Australia’s tour here for two Tests, three ODIs and three T20Is in June-July, Pakistan will play two Tests in July followed by the Lanka Premier League in August and the Asia Cup in September.