The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Tuesday rubbished the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) claim that no decision has been taken regarding the fate of the Asia Cup during the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) meeting on June 8.
After the ACC meeting, the SLC claimed that the Asia Cup 2020 would be played in Sri Lanka, adding that that Pakistan and Sri Lanka have mutually agreed to swap the hosting rights for this edition. However, the BCCI on Monday (June 15) expressed their surprise and anger over the SLC claim. The BCCI raised a very strong objection over the SLC claim and has cleared that no decision has been taken regarding the fate of the tournament.
“We have no idea where such reports are coming from and we are surprised how fast these reports travel. The BCCI is clear that no decision was taken at the ACC meeting. The Board (BCCI) is tired of giving out these clarifications. Earlier it was about travelling to Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka and BCCI had to deny it with an official statement and now this” an official told Times Of India (TOI) yesterday.
However, today SLC rubbished BCCI claim.
“BCCI president Sourav Ganguly and Secretary Jay Shah both were present at the ACC video conference meeting and they are aware about the development. The BCCI official, who has given a statement to Indian Media, seems to be not aware of the matter” a top SLC administrator told Cricket Age on Tuesday.
The top administrator added that the PCB has already agreed to Sri Lanka hosting this edition due to the present world situation. He added that they had an online ACC meeting and they basically gave them the green light to host the tournament.
“Today, as the reports of BCCI claim emerged, board CEO Ashley De Silva again checked with ACC officials and received the confirmation that there is no confusion regarding Asia Cup hosting. Sri Lanka will host this year Asia Cup” the top administrator added.
The two reasons behind the exchange of hosting years are the present relations between India and Pakistan are not very good and secondly, the coronavirus pandemic is under control in the Island nation.
Sri Lanka has not hosted an Asia Cup since 2010 and will look to grab the opportunity to attract the home crowd. India is the defending champion of the tournament.
