Cricket News: Asia Cup 2022 in jeopardy in the midst of Sri Lankan crisis

 

That has put Pakistan's tour of Sri Lanka and Asia Cup 2022 in jeopardy, a decision that will be taken on 15th July 2022. 

Asia Cup is scheduled to commence on 27th August 2022 in Sri Lanka; however, Asia Cricket Council had also kept Bangladesh on standby considering the ongoing economic crisis in the decided host country. These riddled problems have risen due to mass protests, forcing the country's military to step in. 

SLC has already convinced neighboring cricket boards twice and proved their words by successfully hosting Australian men's and Indian women's teams. Even the Pakistan team has started with warm-up matches in Colombo; however, the game at Galle Stadium on 16th July remains doubtful due to widespread protest. It is because protestors reached the venue in the SL vs Aus 2nd test, thus bringing doubts and the need to re-evaluate the tour of Pakistan and the Asia Cup. 

Despite all the problems, Sri Lanka cricket is determined and hopeful to host the tournament, which has already been postponed twice. The secretary of Sri Lanka cricket, Mohan de Silva, said, "As far as we are concerned, we are still very confident of hosting the tournament in Sri Lanka."

If the tournament is moved out to some other nation, this will be a massive blow for Sri Lanka Cricket, leaving them with a loss of $5-6 million in revenue amid the ongoing economic crisis. "Big revenues get generated by hosting teams like India and Pakistan. That's why we are still trying to persuade the countries to play in Sri Lanka. For us revenues are critical. At this stage even for our country any incoming dollar is critical. We are all geared up to host the Asia Cup, and we all are in a positive mood," said CEO of Sri Lanka Cricket Ashley de Silva.

Hosting the tournament is highly important for Sri Lanka owing to the revenue repercussions cancelling the tour will have on the board. But widespread protest in the country and around stadiums is critical for hosting the multi-national tournament. Thus, the final decision is still awaited on the same.