The CEO of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced that the 2020 edition of Asia Cup will go ahead as per schedule, either in Sri Lanka or Bangladesh.
Earlier, it was speculated that the upcoming edition of the Asia Cup would be scrapped to make room for the impending 2020 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
However, Khan rejected any such speculation and stated, “The Asia Cup will go ahead. The Pakistan team returns from England on 2nd September so we can have the tournament in September or October.”
“There are some things which will only get clear in the due course of time. We are hopeful of having the Asia Cup because Sri Lanka has not had too many cases of the Coronavirus. If they can’t do it, then UAE is also ready,” he said in a press conference.
Earlier, the BCCI agreed to take part in the event only on the condition that the tournament is held at a neutral venue and moved outside Pakistan, citing security concerns.
Therefore, the tournament was moved to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from the host nation Pakistan. Now, the PCB CEO is open to let Sri Lanka host the event.
Also, Khan suggested that the apex cricketing board in Pakistan is chalking out options to play cricket in the window for T20 World Cup, in case the tournament is scrapped.
“We are to go to New Zealand in December after hosting Zimbabwe at home. South Africa is ready to tour in January-February to play two or three Tests and some T20 matches,” Khan concluded.
Pakistan is all set for the tour of England to play three Tests and as many T20Is. However, clouds have already started to hover over the tour due to the COVID-19 positive diagnosis of as many as 10 Pakistan internationals. Further, PCB suggested that it would go ahead with the UK tour.