A board official announced that Asia Cup games featuring India could be held in Sri Lanka. This suggestion followed India’s refusal to play in Pakistan, the official host and long-standing rival. The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) is set to formally announce the decision in the forthcoming week, following demands for an alternate venue for India’s fixtures in the 50-over tournament this September, according to a Sri Lankan official.
India and Pakistan, neighboring nations with a fraught history, haven’t competed in cricket on each other’s turf since 2012, only meeting in international tournaments on neutral venues. The cricketing heavyweights have faced off in three wars since the subcontinent was divided in 1947, and their political rivalry remains intense.
The board official, who preferred to remain anonymous, stated, “It is highly probable that Sri Lanka will host some of the matches,” but clarified that official confirmation has not yet been received.
Despite an economic crisis that resulted in defaulting on its $46 billion foreign debt in April of the previous year and consequently seeking a bailout from the International Monetary Fund, Sri Lanka’s board demonstrated a willingness to host some of the Asia Cup matches. Despite the economic downturn, the official claimed the island is equipped to host an international tournament.
The official noted that Sri Lanka hosted the Australian team, even during the height of the crisis when fuel and electricity were scarce. The Australian tour included three T20 matches, five ODIs, and three Tests.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) faced a threat from the Pakistan Cricket Board of a potential World Cup boycott in India, scheduled for October if India refused to participate in the Asia Cup in Pakistan a month prior. The BCCI is now exploring options to hold the six-nation tournament in September, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal, at a neutral location.
