Babar Azam and Rohit Sharma. (Photo Source: Twitter/BCCI)
BCCI Secretary Jay Shah and PCB Chief Zaka Ashraf met in South Africa on July 11 to finalise the details of the Asia Cup. Notably, after the meeting, it has been confirmed that the highly anticipated India versus Pakistan clash will be organised in Sri Lanka as the Men in Blue will not be travelling to Pakistan for the continental cup. IPL chairman Arun Dhumal too confirmed the development and rubbished the claims of Shah travelling to Pakistan for the initial phase of the tournament.
Notably, the dates and the schedule are finalised but it is yet to be revealed officially by the Asian Cricket Council. The tournament is slated to begin on August 31 in Pakistan and will be finishing on Sunday, September 17 in Sri Lanka. Dhumal meanwhile confirmed that there will be four league games in Pakistan before the tournament shifts to Sri Lanka for the second phase.
“Our secretary met PCB head Zaka Ashraf and the Asia Cup schedule was finalised and it is on course as it was discussed earlier. There will be four games of league stage in Pakistan, followed by 9 games in Sri Lanka including both India versus Pakistan game and in case a third game if both teams play final,” Dhumal was quoted as saying by The Times of India.
“There was no such discussion held. Neither India is travelling to Pakistan nor our secretary will be travelling contrary to reports that have surfaced. Only the schedule was finalised,” he added.
Meanwhile, as per reports, Dambulla will be hosting the marquee clash between India and Pakistan. On the other hand, the Babar Azam-led side’s only home match will be against Nepal while the other three games are likely to be between Afghanistan and Bangladesh, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka and Afghanistan.
Even though the drama concerning the Asia Cup was finally sorted, the same cannot be said for the upcoming ODI World Cup. Pakistan are still pushing for a possible venue change as they are reluctant to play against India at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. A special team from Pakistan is expected to travel to India in late August to inspect and take a final call on the decision.