‘Do billiyo ki ladai me bandar ka faayda’ – Fans react as Sri Lanka is set to host Asia Cup 2023 instead of Pakistan
Najam Sethi (left) and Jay Shah (right) (Source: Twitter)
As the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) plans to shift the competition from Pakistan, Sri Lanka is likely to host the future Asia Cup. The decision to move the competition from the original host nation was always in the works as soon as BCCI secretary Jay Shah said that the Indian squad would not visit Pakistan for the 2023 edition of the Asia Cup.
By the end of this month, an official decision will be made about the tournament’s location, with support for the island nation’s bid coming from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. As of right now, it’s unknown whether Pakistan would take part in the competition because reports suggest that they could withdraw.
The decision currently appears to be a formality, despite the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) continued interest in hosting the event at home and Cricket Board’s backing from other ACC members. The PCB had suggested a hybrid approach to host the Asia Cup, wherein India’s matches alone would be organized in Dubai. This was done in response to the Indian Board’s refusal to go to Pakistan for the event due to a lack of government approval.
Nepal to debut in Asia Cup 2023
However, no country has expressed interest in that concept, and the tournament broadcaster has voiced concerns about it as well. The other boards were reluctant to play in the Gulf a month before the 50-over World Cup since September was peak summer in the United Arab Emirates. Even Oman is rumored to have volunteered to host the event during a recent informal meeting of the ACC members, but given the circumstances, Sri Lanka has been chosen as the perfect location.
The ACC is expected to make a final call in the coming weeks since teams are refusing to risk players in intense heat and Sri Lanka Cricket has expressed interest in hosting the competition. Dambulla and Pallekele may serve as the locations if Sri Lanka is given the opportunity to host the event because the monsoon season often arrives in Colombo in September.
What impact it will have on the 2023 World Cup, in the long run, in the long run, is yet unknown. The PCB might not take part in the competition, according to reports coming out of Pakistan, if the Asia Cup is transferred from the nation. They might not play in the World Cup, which is scheduled to be held by India in October and November if they opt out of that competition.
If Pakistan confirms its availability then the Asia Cup will have six teams. Nepal, who won the ACC Premier Cup, joined India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan to qualify for the tournament.
Here’s how fans reacted on the reports:
Let's laugh at pakistan🤣🤣🤣🤣
— ax_u689 (@Eren_jeager_ka0) May 8, 2023
https://twitter.com/pranavbuge/status/1655577532882894848
Porkis right now pic.twitter.com/d8XNBnyGKI
— Carry (@Carry9786) May 8, 2023
https://twitter.com/runmachinevi143/status/1655574951397830656
https://twitter.com/prafull_tweetz/status/1655576459304468484
https://twitter.com/____ashish_m/status/1655575233888395264
https://twitter.com/Pratham7340/status/1655574815476989957
https://twitter.com/ShubmanGang/status/1655575177399357448
