LAHORE, March 19: The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) will discuss all matters, including security, with Pakistan’s cricket authorities, looking to stage the Asia Cup in June-July, at a meeting here on Thursday.

President ACC Arjuna Ranatunga, a former Sri Lankan Test captain, will be here to hold a meeting with the PCB chief Dr Nasim Ashraf at the Gaddafi Stadium.

The Asia Cup, a biennial event, has been in the doldrums since 2006 and still the uncertainty is prevailing over it, due to foreign teams’ concerns over security in Pakistan.

The format and venues of the matches would be finalised during the meeting, Sultan Rana, the ACC Development Manager, told Dawn.

But when asked the matches’ schedule had already been announced, Sultan responded there might be some changes in the venues.

On inquiring if the matter relating to security would also be discussed, he said all matters concerning the successful holding of the matches would come under discussion.

Sultan, however, did not agree the Asia Cup could be shifted from Pakistan to any other country due to security issues.

“I don’t think so, and I am looking Pakistan as a strong candidate to host the Asia Cup,” Sultan emphasised.

It may be mentioned here that earlier the ACC wanted to hold the Asia Cup in Pakistan from Feb 12 to 27, 2006. But the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) suggested postponing it at the pretext of their national squad seeking rest.

If the Asia Cup receives green single, Sri Lanka will be defending the title, which they had clinched by downing India at home in 2004.

Successful holding of the Asia Cup could also pave way for holding the ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan in September this year.—Agencies