Asia Cup 2022: Uncertain times, Bangladesh Cricket Board requested to stay on standby to host

The 2020 Asia Cup has been continuously delayed or postponed for more than two years, for multiple causes. The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has urged Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to be on standby to host the Asia Cup T20 Cricket beginning on August 27 due to the unfavorable circumstances in Sri Lanka.

Notably, Sri Lanka Cricket continued to indicate their interest to host the competition. However, the nation’s recent economic and political unrest has once more cast doubt on the event in Sri Lanka. The ACC will make its final judgment by the end of the third week of July.

Moving out would be a devastating blow to SLC. The SLC has so far been successful in persuading their neighbouring cricket boards, notably the BCCI, that they can successfully host the competition.

The month-long tour of Sri Lanka by the Australian men’s team has just come to an end. The Indian women’s team recently completed a tour of the nation. If the situation worsens further, the ACC does not want to take any chances.

During the second test between Sri Lanka and Australia, protesters and general turmoil made their way to the Galle International Stadium. Due to this, the Asian Cricket Council is probably going to reconsider where the competition will be held.

Asia Cup has been delayed by two years now

As Sri Lanka continues to struggle with civil turmoil, hundreds of protesters stormed the Presidential Palace in Colombo last week. Due to the severe lack of necessities, protests have become the norm.

On Day 2 of the SL vs. AUS 2nd Test, a small number of protestors made it to the Galle International Stadium. However, the game continued uninterrupted as several of them mounted the Galle Fort, which looks down on the stadium.

The CEO of SLC, Ashley de Silva said, “big revenues get generated by hosting teams like India and Pakistan. That’s why we are still trying to persuade the countries to play in Sri Lanka. For us revenues are critical. At this stage even for our country any incoming dollar is critical. We are all geared up to host the Asia Cup and we all are in a positive mood.”

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