The Asia Cup cricket tournament, initially allotted to Pakistan and scheduled to be held in September this year, is likely to be shifted out of Pakistan. The discussion over an alternate venue came up during the meet held by BCCI secretary Jay Shah and PCB chairman Najam Sethi in Bahrain on Saturday.
According to reports, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) is expected to shift Asia Cup from Pakistan and decide on an alternate venue in March, reported PTI. The BCCI had earlier too made its stance clear on its refusal to travel to Pakistan for the tournament, stating that due to diplomatic tension between the two nations.
The emergency meeting in Bahrain of all ACC members was called at the behest of Sethi after the continental body released its itinerary and Pakistan wasn't named the host for the Asia Cup.
"The ACC had a constructive dialogue on the upcoming Asia Cup 2023. The Board agreed to continue discussions on operations, timelines and any other specifics with a view to ensuring the success of the tournament. An update on the matter would be taken on the next ACC Executive Board Meeting to be held in March 2023," the ACC said in a statement.
Though the decision on the venue will not be out till March, a senior BCCI official privy to the development told PTI that it is highly unlikely that Pakistan will host the tournament. "With India deciding against travelling to Pakistan, the tournament will have to be shifted. A tournament without Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill will have the sponsors back out," the official said.
It is understood that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with three venues -- Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah -- are favourites to host the tournament. Besides, the tournament being held in the UAE also will ensure that all member nations get to earn apart from the broadcast revenues.
The delay in announcing the venue could be because Sethi has just taken over PCB and if he had ceded ground on the hosting rights in the first meeting itself, then it would have led to a bad impression at home, PTI quoted an insider.
Pakistan is currently going through an economic crisis. The inflation has hit the country very hard as one USD is now equal to 277 Pakistani Rupee. Organising a high-profile tournament like Asia Cup, even if ACC pays a grant could burn a hole in PCB coffers.
(With inputs from PTI)