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After a long hiatus, the highly anticipated Asia Cup 2022 is all set to return this year and is slated to commence from August 27. However, earlier it was decided that Sri Lanka will host the marquee tournament but in face of the ongoing major economic crisis and political turmoil in the country, cast doubts whether the Island nation will be able to stage the Asia Cup or not.
While exclusively talking to Sports Tak, a well-placed source in the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) said that they have given a deadline to Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Board and are in constant touch with them so as to have a clear stance on the coveted Cup.
The source said," We are in constant touch with Sri Lanka board officials and we are keeping close tab on Asia cup and the situation of the country. As of now it would really be tough to say whether they can host the Asia Cup or not. What I know is they are hopeful and very positive on this issue there is still time in hand to take call but at the same time as per protocols they have been given deadline to clear the stance on hosting Asia Cup. See the tournament is scheduled to start from August 27, so the deadline is July 27.
It was also alluded that if Sri Lanka fail to make a clear cut decision on hosting the Cup, the marquee tournament can be moved to some other venue.
"Once there will be a communication from them, then depending on the reply we will take call. If they fail to make a decision, we will move the Asia Cup to some other venue," the source further added.
Earlier, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief Jay Shah said that he will be hosting SLC office bearers in the IPL final on May 29 and will further assess the situation.
"I had a detailed discussion with the leadership team of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) on the situation in Sri Lanka and its impact on cricket. Sri Lanka Cricket is hopeful of hosting Asia Cup. I will be hosting SLC office bearers in the IPL final on May 29 and will further assess the situation," Shah had told Sports Tak.
Although, SLC Board's secretary Mohan De Silva had earlier ensured that Sri Lanka is all prepared to host the highly anticipated Asia Cup.
While speaking to Sports Tak, De Silva had said ,"there is absolutely nothing wrong in Sri Lanka, there are groups protesting against the regime and we are having a crisis due to bad management. Apart from that there is no civil unrest or political unrest I'm very confident that it will be sorted out in the next couple of weeks."
Sri Lanka is marred by its worst financial crisis in more than 70 years. In face of this adversity, people in Island nation are experiencing severe shortages of food, fuel and other essentials. The 22 million people of the island nation have witnessed weeks of power blackouts and severe shortages of food in the wake of the economic and political tension.
Earlier, former champions Sri Lanka were declared the hosts of the Asia Cup T20 tournament. All of Asia's Test teams - India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and hosts Sri Lanka are set to play the 2022 edition of the white-ball tournament that will be played in T20 format this year.
