Another sporting event has succumbed to the Coronavirus pandemic, this time the Asia Cup, which was slated to happen in Sri Lanka. The worsening Covid-19 situation in the country has made it impossible to host the tournament in June.
The Sri Lanka Cricket CEO Ashley de Silva broke the unfortunate news,
“Due to the prevailing situation, it will not be possible to play the tournament in June this year.”
Due to the COVID-19 cases increasing at a rapid pace, the Sri Lankan government has also announced a 10-day ban on international air travel.
Last year, the Asia Cup event was supposed to be hosted by Pakistan but due to the political issues between India and Pakistan, the tournament was moved to Sri Lanka.
Earlier, Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ehsan Mani had admitted that the Asia Cup might be postponed if India qualify for the WTC final.
“Asia Cup was set to go last year but it got postponed to this year.
Right now, it looks like Asia Cup won’t be going ahead this year as the WTC finals are set to go ahead in June.
Sri Lanka had said that they would try to host the tournament in June,”
Mani had stated in a press conference in Karachi.
The Asia Cup has not been held in the last three years. India are the defending champions as they’ve won the last two editions. If the tournament had gone ahead as planned, it would’ve been a T20 competition to give the teams an opportunity to prepare for the T20 World Cup slated later this year.
Sri Lankan team is currently on a Bangladesh tour where they will play limited-overs series before hosting the Indian team for a white ball series in July. India will be sending a second-string team comprising white-ball specialists to Sri Lanka, with the top players travelling to the UK for the WTC final and England series.
Meanwhile, in the recent reports, it is emerging that the event will happen in back to back years in 2022 and 2023. As per ESPNCricinfo, Pakistan could be hosting the 2022 edition, with Sri Lanka retaining the honours for 2023.
