Reports: Sri Lanka Cricket asked to decide on hosting Asia Cup 2022 by July 27

As per the latest developments, Sri Lanka Cricket have to confirm whether they would be able to host Asia Cup 2022 by July 27. The tournament is scheduled to get underway on August 27 in the Island nation. However, SLC might lose the hosting rights of the competition amid the economic crisis that has led to widespread protests across the nation.

For the unversed, Sri Lanka is witnessing protests all over the nation amid the battle against rising inflation. Owing to the decreasing foreign currency reserves, there’s a severe shortage of essential commodities and fuel. With the supply being less, demand is more and hence, prices have gone high astonishingly. Several former cricketers including Arjuna Ranatunga and Sanath Jayasuriya have also joined the public rallies in the country.

Sri Lanka to lose hosting rights of Asia Cup 2022?

Owing to all these factors, dark clouds are looming over SLC’s hosting rights for the tournament. “As of now, it would be really tough to say whether they can host the Asia cup. What I know is they are hopeful and very positive about this issue. There is still time in hand to take the call but at the same time as per protocol they have been given a deadline to decide on the same,” a source was quoted as saying by India Today.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka were scheduled to host the 2020 edition of the Asia Cup. However, the premier tournament was postponed twice due to the COVID-19 crisis. If SLC is not able to conduct the Asia Cup, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) will have to move the competition to some other country. Notably, Pakistan have the hosting rights for the marquee tournament in 2023.

Meanwhile, the Asia Cup will be played in the T20 format this year as the teams prepare for the T20 World Cup 2022, which will take place in October-November in Australia. India will step into the competition as defending champions, having won the last two editions in 2016 and 2018 respectively.