KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board wants to stage the Asia Cup T20 this year as per schedule, but in the UAE and is also in talks with Sri Lanka as an alternate venue for the event.

Reliable sources in the PCB said on Tuesday that in the ACC meeting held on Monday, Chairman Ehsan Mani spoke about the importance of holding the Asia Cup this year.

“Because of Covid 19 and the future uncertainty and India avoiding to tour Pakistan, it has been decided by PCB — being the host board — that UAE is the first option to host Asia Cup this year in September. The PCB and ACC are in contact with the UAE but it will take about a week ot two before things get finalised about UAE as the final venue to host Asia Cup,” said the sources.

Sri Lanka to be back-up option

The sources added that if UAE for some reason is not ready to host Asia Cup, PCB will approach the Sri Lankan Cricket Board to host it.

“During the ACC meeting Mani spoke to Sri Lankan Cricket Chairman about the possibility of holding Asia Cup there in case the UAE is not ready to hostit. “It was discussed with the SLC that Pakistan may ask Sri Lanka to host Asia Cup this year as they are much in control of the Covid 19 pandemic situation as compared to Pakistan and if Sri Lanka agrees, Pakistan can swap the 2022 Asia Cup with Sri Lanka and host it in Pakistan after two years,” said the sources.—Agencies

Published in Dawn, June 10th, 2020