The discussions regarding hosting proposals for the 2023 Asia Cup are still ongoing. Pakistan gained the right to host the continental championship; however, the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) had previously stated that they would not travel to Pakistan due to political tensions between the two countries. Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) announced on Monday, May 29, that the island nation is prepared to host the 2023 Asia Cup if the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) grants them hosting rights. The claim is made just days before the ACC meeting, which will likely decide on a single venue for the continental championship.
A senior SLC official told Cricbuzz that the board is prepared to host the Asia Cup on short notice and that the ACC must now make a decision. It is noteworthy that the BCCI previously rejected the hybrid format that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had proposed, in which matches would take place in both Pakistan and the UAE.
“The Sri Lanka Cricket is poised to quickly host the Asia Cup.
The ACC will now make a decision. It’s either Colombo or nothing. An SLC representative told Cricbuzz, “We’ll go with the BCCI.”
With no board accepting PCB’s hybrid model proposal, they are becoming increasingly isolated in the ACC. The leaders of the SLC, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), and Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) are presently in India to attend the final of the 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL) and to meet with BCCI officials. According to reports, non-Test affiliates such as the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) and the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) are also present in Ahmedabad.
Pakistan will not participate in the Asia Cup if they are not permitted to host a few games, according to Najam Sethi, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board. Pakistan will not participate in the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup, which will be contested in India after the Asia Cup.