Sri Lanka to still receive US $ 6m after losing hosting rights for Asia Cup: SLC Secretary

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Secretary Mohan de Silva said that the country was assured of getting a phenomenal sum of US $ 6 million had they hosted Asia Cup 2022. Sri Lanka was originally scheduled to host the tournament but were forced to back out at the last moment due to the ongoing political and economic tensions in the country.

Thus, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) had no choice other than to shift the venue to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) which would now host the 15th edition of the Asia Cup from August 27 to September 11. Sri Lanka will begin their campaign against Afghanistan in the curtain-raiser at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Had we hosted it Sri Lanka’s economy would have definitely been boosted: Mohan de Silva

“Sri Lanka will still receive the US $ 2.5 million hosting fee, 1.5 million ticket sale fees and 2 million fee due to every participating team”, said SLC Secretary as quoted by Sri Lanka Cricket.

“But this was solely because the stakeholders doubts due to the prevailing unrest in the country. Had we hosted it Sri Lanka’s economy would have definitely been boosted centred around a tourism build up and upped the country image,” he said.

Sri Lanka is going through its worst-ever financial crisis and the last few months have seen people protest against the ruling government due to the growing inflation rate. Even some of their high-profile cricketers including Sanath Jayasuriya, Mahela Jayawardene, and Kumar Sangakkara have raised their voices on social media platforms.

Coming back to Asia Cup 2022, it would be held in the T20 format as a dress rehearsal for the T20 World Cup down under in October-November and this is the second time that the tournament will be held in this format after the 2016 edition which was won by India.

Such is the nature of the format of this year’s competition that arch-rivals India and Pakistan could lock horns with each other on more than one occasion. After their group fixture on August 28, the two teams could go on to face off in the Super 4s on September 4 and the final on the 11th provided both teams make it to the summit clash.