Sources within the Pakistan Cricket Board have suggested a possible solution to the Asia Cup logjam: Pakistan will remain as the host, while India’s matches could be played in the United Arab Emirates, where some of the games will be held.
If India makes it to the final, then the UAE will be the host nation, as per a PCB representative. Recently, an emergency gathering of the Asian Cricket Council happened in Bahrain on February 4, which was called for by PCB leader Najam Sethi when the ACC released their schedule and Pakistan wasn’t listed as the tournament’s host.
Sethi spoke to the press on Thursday, noting that a decision about the hosting of the Asia Cup ODI tournament will be discussed further during an ICC meeting in the upcoming month since the issue has yet to be settled.
When asked if Pakistan would host the tournament in September, Sethi informed reporters that the Asian Cricket Council board meeting did not result in any agreement.
Sources familiar with the situation have stated that the likely solution to the issue is that Pakistan will still be the host of the Asia Cup, but some of the matches will be held in the United Arab Emirates, where India may play all its matches, including the final if it qualifies.
At the ACC meeting, Sethi emphasized that PCB desires to host the tournament and some of the games in their country, according to the source. Initially, the Asia Cup was allotted to be held in Pakistan in September, but Jay Shah, the BCCI Secretary and ACC chairperson, declared last October that India would not visit Pakistan. Reportedly, the UAE with its three locations – Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah – is the likely destination for the tournament, however, a decision has yet to be made.