ACC to meet in February to discuss hosting of Asia Cup 2020 in Pakistan
India have won the Asia Cup seven times out of 14 while Sri Lanka and Pakistan have won two times each.
The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) will hold a meeting in February to discuss the organisation of Asia Cup scheduled in Pakistan in September this year. Sources in the ACC confirmed this on Wednesday. Since Pakistan is set to host the edition, uncertainty looms over India’s participation since political relations between the two neighbours are low at the moment.
“ACC will have a meeting sometime in February to discuss issues related to the hosting of the Asia Cup this year. This year Pakistan is the host so it is Pakistan’s call if they want to host the tournament or not,” the source was quoted as saying by SportsRush.
However, the ACC source played it safe when asked about the consequences if India, the defending champions, decided to pull out. “I cannot make a comment on this, this is a matter between India and Pakistan,” it said.
Last week, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Wasim Khan said no deal has been made between them and Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) regarding the hosting of the tournament. This year, Asia Cup will be played in the T20 format since the next World Cup is in the same format in October-November.
Pakistan threatens to not play in T20 World Cup 2021
He also said that if India refuse to play in the Asia Cup on Pakistan soil this year, then Pakistan will not take part in the T20 World Cup 2021 scheduled in India in October-November the same year. “It is not the prerogative of the PCB or the ICC to change the host as it was the decision of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC),” Pakistan daily Dawn quoted Wasim as saying.
“We are currently considering two venues to host the Asia Cup. If India doesn’t come to Pakistan for the Asia Cup, we would also refuse participation in the 2021 T20 World Cup there,” he added.
Earlier this month, when BCB agreed to send a team to play in Pakistan, it was reported that a deal was made between the two boards that Bangladesh would be hosting the Asia Cup in place of Pakistan. India have won the Asia Cup seven times out of 14 while Sri Lanka and Pakistan have won two times each. India are also the only side to have won the trophy in both 50- and 20-over formats.
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