Asia Cup 2022: It’s FINAL, T20 Asia Cup going to UAE, ACC to announce FULL-SCHEDULE on July 22: Follow LIVE Updates

Asia Cup 2022: It’s FINAL, T20 Asia Cup going to UAE, ACC to announce FULL-SCHEDULE on July 22: Follow LIVE Updates

Sri Lanka Cricket’s CEO Ashley De Silva conceded that Sri Lanka would not be able to host the Asia Cup 2022 amid the fuel and food crisis that has grappled the nation.

While the series against Australia and Pakistan were conducted without much fuss, Silva said that hosting a potential 10-team tournament would strain too much of their resources.

“Hosting two teams is not the same as hosting ten teams. 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. You also have to give the sponsors transport and ensure that they are getting the mileage that they want from their sponsorship. The fuel for the generators to run the floodlights will also have to be found, “SLC chief executive officer Ashley de Silva told ESPNcricinfo on Sunday.

As per the report, ACC is set to announce the official schedule on July 22 with the tournament shifted to the UAE. The group stage is set to feature two India vs Pakistan games. Fans from both countries will want to travel to Sri Lanka had the tournament been hosted there, but the severe crisis and the political climate would have acted as a deterrent.

Asia Cup 2022: Amid political turmoil in Sri Lanka, Asia Cup set to be shifted to UAE despite Pakistan backing, ACC to announce schedule on July 22 – Follow LIVE Updates

As per an earlier Cricbuzz report, Asia Cup could well and truly be shifted to the UAE with ACC ramping up their preparations for the same. Sri Lanka was set to host the six-team event but has been hit with a major political crisis and discussions to relocate have been initiated. Should the move happen, SLC is set to lose $5-6M in revenue from tickets, sponsors and other partners.

As per the report, discussions between the ACC and the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) have already begun. ACC chief Jay Shah has excellent ties with UAE, with a season and half of the IPL and the T20 World Cup 2021 being hosted there by the BCCI. The SLC meanwhile have been kept in the loop with a day-to-day approach being taken on the same.

Asia Cup 2022 LIVE: Asia Cup to be relocated to UAE

• The Asia Cup is now in serious doubt due to the national emergency in Sri Lanka.
• The Asian Cricket Council has already begun discussions with Emirates Cricket Board to relocate the tournament.
• While Sri Lanka Cricket was determined and hopeful of successfully hosting the tournament, the current political climate has made it difficult for them to convince their neighbouring boards.
• If moved out, the decision will be a huge blow for SLC. The board will lose $5-6 million in revenues.
• The tournament is slated to start on August 27 in UAE, with Abu Shabi, Sharjah and Dubai as hosts.
• India and Pakistan will play each other twice in the group stage.
• ACC is expected to announce the schedule by July 22

Asia Cup 2022: Amid political turmoil in Sri Lanka, Asia Cup set to be shifted to UAE despite Pakistan backing, ACC to announce schedule on July 22 – Follow LIVE Updates

SLC were initially confident about hosting the event, having hosted Australia for a full tour. Things have changed since the Sri Lanka president fled the nation, sparking violent protests with fans even scaling the Galle fort during the 2nd Test against Australia. SLC as it turns out were under pressure from the government to host the event, but now with a change in leadership have echoed the possibility of a shift.

“In such a scenario, it is being felt that hosting the championship is not appropriate,” a member of the ACC told Cricbuzz on Saturday.

Asia Cup 2022: Amid political turmoil in Sri Lanka, Asia Cup set to be shifted to UAE despite Pakistan backing, ACC to announce schedule on July 22 – Follow LIVE Updates

The move would come in despite Pakistan’s support to Sri Lanka for hosting the event. The SLC and PCB have strong ties and the former believe a shift would incur massive losses to their neighbours.  Pakistan kicked off a two-match Test series in Galle on Saturday and PCB CEO Faisal Hasnain contradicted the relocation claims.

“Similarly, there have been no issues with the ongoing Pakistan tour of Sri Lanka as we are constantly in touch with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and our embassy in the country. Our discussions with the ACC representatives have suggested that the tournament is on track at the moment as they are monitoring the situation very carefully and we will support their decision,” Faisal Hasnain, PCB CEO, said.

Asia Cup 2022: Amid political turmoil in Sri Lanka, Asia Cup set to be shifted to UAE despite Pakistan backing – Follow LIVE Updates

With the tournament just over a month away, a decision on the same is likely to be taken soon. BCCI Secretary and ACC President Jay Shah is overseeing developments.

The Asia Cup 2022 will be a T20I tournament scheduled to take place from 27th August till 11th September. Ahead of the main tournament, a qualifier is scheduled to take place among the teams of Hong Kong, Kuwait, Singapore, and UAE. The winner of the qualifier will join the likes of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka who are the full-member Asian Teams.