New Delhi, July 12: In a much-anticipated decision, it has been confirmed by BCCI Secretary Arun Dhumal that the upcoming Asia Cup matches between India and Pakistan will be held in Sri Lanka. The Indian team, led by Rohit Sharma, will not be traveling to Pakistan for the tournament. Dhumal, who is currently in Durban for the ICC Chief Executives Meet (CEC), revealed that BCCI Secretary Jay Shah and PCB representative Zaka Ashraf met to finalize the schedule ahead of the ICC Board meeting scheduled for Thursday.
“Our secretary met with PCB head Zaka Ashraf, and the Asia Cup schedule has been finalized as discussed earlier. There will be four league stage games in Pakistan, followed by nine games in Sri Lanka, including the highly anticipated India versus Pakistan encounter, and a potential third game if both teams reach the final,” Dhumal stated to PTI from Durban.
Dhumal dismissed reports from Pakistani media suggesting that India would be traveling to Pakistan, contrary to claims made by their sports minister Ehsan Mazari. “No such discussion took place. India is not traveling to Pakistan, and our secretary will not be traveling either, contrary to the surfaced reports. Only the schedule has been finalized,” Dhumal added.
It is highly likely that India and Pakistan will face each other in Dambulla, Sri Lanka, just as they did during the 2010 edition of the Asia Cup. Pakistan’s only home match will be against Nepal, while the other three games include Afghanistan versus Bangladesh, Bangladesh versus Sri Lanka, and Sri Lanka versus Afghanistan.
