Reports: Sri Lanka withdraws from hosting Asia Cup 2022 amid ongoing political crisis
As per the latest developments, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has withdrawn from hosting the Asia Cup 2022 amid the ongoing political crisis in the island nation. The Sri Lankan cricket board reportedly has expressed their inability to the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) that they are not in a position to organize the upcoming multinational event. The Asia Cup 2022 is scheduled to be played from the 27th of August to the 11th of September.
Sri Lanka are currently going through their worst-ever political and economic crisis. The President alongside his family and the ruling members has already fled the nation after witnessing countless protests against themselves by the masses of the country. In fact, almost all of the prominent Sri Lankan cricketers, including Sanath Jayasuriya, Mahela Jayawardene, and Kumar Sangakkara have come forward to raise their voices regarding the worrisome situation in the island nation.
Sri Lanka cricket likely to consult UAE about the Asia Cup 2022
“As per Sri Lankan media, the SLC informed the ACC about its decision, maintaining that it is ‘not in a position’ to organize the Asia Cup cricket tournament in the country due to the current political and economic situation of the country,” read a report as quoted by The Nation.
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“A decision to hold the event in the United Arab Emirates hasn’t been finalised yet. The venue could, however, be any Asian country, including India. Sri Lanka will reportedly consult the UAE Cricket Board, requesting to provide a venue where it can host the event,” the report further added.
The decision has come just after a few days the third edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) was postponed for the same reason. The highly-anticipated T20 league was scheduled to take place from the 21st of August. With Sri Lanka pulling out at the last minute, the ACC will have to finalize a new venue to organize the multinational event.
Meanwhile, the Asia Cup 2022 will be played in the T20 format, giving the participating teams a chance to finalize their preparation for the T20 World Cup down under in October-November. It will be the only second time after the 2016 edition that the tournament will be played in the 20-over format.
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