2022 Asia Cup venue moved from Sri Lanka to UAE

KABUL (Pajhwok): The 2022 Asia Cup venue may be moved from Sri Lanka, currently in the grip of a grave political crisis, to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Despite furious protests in Colombo and other cities, the island nation is currently hosting a Test series against Pakistan successfully.

Prior to the Pakistan series, Sri Lanka satisfactorily hosted Australia. Sri Lanka Cricket is scheduled to be the venue of the Asia Cup.

ESPNcricinfo reported that given the political uncertainty in Sri Lanka, the major event could be played in Dubai and Shariah between August 27 and September 11.

Seriously worried over the acute shortage of fuel in Sri Lanka, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) decided on moving the venue to the UAE at a meeting last week.

“Hosting two teams is not the same as hosting ten teams,” ESPNcricinfo quoted SLC chief executive officer Ashley de Silva as saying.

“You have to provide ten buses with fuel for all of them. You have to give every team a luggage van with fuel, and transport for the managers,” he added.

The board official acknowledged the local economy was bound to suffer substantial losses in the absence of hotel and transport operators.

Given its infrastructure and travel facilities, the UAE could be a viable venue, which hosted the Asia Cup in 2018.

PAN Monitor/mud