The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) intends to move the competition from Pakistan. Hence Sri Lanka is probably going to host the 2019 Asia Cup. The idea to relocate the event from the original host nation has been in the works ever since Indian Cricket Board Secretary Jay Shah declared that the Indian squad would not cross the border.
The location of the competition will be decided by the end of the month, and Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh are all in favour of the island’s hosting the event. Given that there are suspicions that Pakistan may boycott the competition, it is currently unknown if Pakistan would participate.
ACC members did not endorse Pakistan’s hybrid model to host the Asia Cup 2023
Despite the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) persistent interest in hosting the tournament at home and the Indian Cricket Board’s support from other ACC members, the decision seems to be a formality. To host the Asia Cup, the PCB has suggested a hybrid strategy in which only India’s matches would be held in Dubai. Due to a lack of official consent, the Indian Cricket Board declined to attend the event in Pakistan.
However, nobody has shown any interest in the idea, and the tournament broadcaster has also raised reservations about it. Since September was peak summer in the United Arab Emirates, the other boards were reluctant to play in the Gulf a month before the 50-over World Cup. At a recent informal gathering of the ACC members, even Oman is said to have offered to host the event. Nevertheless, considering the circumstances, Sri Lanka has been selected as the best place.
Though the conditions were challenging for the participants, the 2018 Asia Cup was staged in Dubai in September. The UAE has been completely disqualified since Hardik Pandya sustained a back injury during that competition, intended to serve as a warm-up for the World Cup, which will begin in the first week of October. Even those games, played in the second half of the summer, proved difficult for players to handle. The Indian Cricket Board has previously scheduled the IPL in September (2020).
Here’s how fans reacted:
Good ? no need to play at 50 degrees in dubai
— PaKiStaNi? (@Somi_StyaLes17) May 8, 2023
Kohi bhi host karo likin hona chaiye .
— Sandesh …. (@sandeshrock31) May 8, 2023
Arre Ye kese ho gya bhaijaan??????.
— ICT Fan (@Cricket60626252) May 8, 2023
— Pratham (@Pratham7340) May 8, 2023
should be ready to play 30+ overs of spin … ?
— Swakshyarjyoti kashyap (@swakshyarjyoti) May 8, 2023
Spin friendly tracks will help in wc preparation good for indian team ?
— Cricsimp (@cricsimp) May 8, 2023
I told this last year if it's cancelled than Pakka SL will host… That's the best Option for everyone…. ??
— ColtKshatriya (@KshatriyaColt) May 8, 2023
Pointless tournament.
WTC Final & the ODI WC are the only ones which mean something.— Abhijeet (@ab_nufc) May 8, 2023
