In the biggest development to the Asia Cup 2022 it has been finally revealed that Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) will host the marquee tournament in United Arab Emirates (UAE) which is scheduled to start from August 27. The The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has confirmed this big development on Asia Cup 2022, whose staging rights was in tenterhooks in the backdrop of ongoing political and financial turmoil in Sri Lanka.
The ACC after extensive deliberation has unanimously concluded that it would be appropriate to relocate the tournament from Sri Lanka to the UAE.
"Considering the prevailing situation in Sri Lanka, the ACC, after extensive deliberation has unanimously concluded that it would be appropriate to relocate the tournament from Sri Lanka to the UAE," the ACC said in a statement on Wednesday.
"The ACC is mindful of the passionate Sri Lankan fans, hence the final decision to change the venue has been very difficult. but has been one that was deemed necessary. However, the thoughts of all ACC members remain in solidarity with the cricket-loving nation of Sri Lank," it added.
ACC president Jay Shah said, “Every effort was made to host the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka and the decision to shift the venue to the UAE was taken after much deliberation. The UAE will be the new venue while Sri Lanka will continue to retain hosting rights. This edition of the Asia Cup is extremely important as it will help Asian nations prepare for the ICC World Cup, and I thank the SLC and the Emirates Cricket Board for their understanding and cooperation”.
Meanwhile, the president of SLC Mr Shammi Silva said," We were really looking forward to hosting our Asian neighbours in Sri Lanka for the much-anticipated Asia Cup. While I fully stand by the ACC's decision to shift the Asia Cup to UAE considering the current context and the magnitude of the event, Sri Lanka Cricket will work closely with the ACC and Emirates Cricket Board to ensure that we still have an exciting edition of the Asia Cup".
Also the vice-chairman of Emirates Cricket Board Mr Khalid Al Zarooni said, “The Emirates Cricket Board takes great pride in UAE being named the new venue for the Asia Cup. The ECB is always ready to help fellow Member Boards and the ACC and Sri Lanka Cricket have our full support”.
He further said,"we have the required infrastructure in place and look forward to welcoming the teams to the UAE".
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.
All eyes will be on the much anticipated India-Pakistan clash which will again highlight the marquee event. India will be playing Pakistan for the first time after the 2021 ICC T20 World Cup.
Asia Cup 2022 will have six teams - India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan and a Qualifier. The Qualifier tournament will be played between UAE and Kuwait, who progressed from 2020 ACC Western Region T20, and Singapore and Hing Kong, which progressed from the 2020 ACC Eastern Region T20.
India remains the most dominant team in Asia Cup history. In 14 editions, since its inception in 1984, India have won the title seven times - 1984, 1988, 1990/91, 1995, 2010, 2016 and 2018. Sri Lanka is the second most successful side with five title wins - 1986, 1997, 2004, 2008 and 2014. They have also made the most appearances (14) in Asia Cup history followed by India, Pakistan and Bangladesh who have played the tournament 13 times each. Pakistan have won the remaining two times - 2000 and 2012.
