The Asia Cup will be contested in the United Arab Emirates in 2022. Sri Lanka will host the event again this year, from August 27 to September 11.
“We made every attempt to hold the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka, and the decision to transfer the venue to the UAE was reached after careful deliberation,” said Jay Shah, head of the Asian Cricket Council, in a press statement on Wednesday. “The new destination will be the United Arab Emirates, with Sri Lanka retaining hosting rights.”
Sri Lanka is going through one of its worst crises as food and fuel supplies run dry. The country was still able to host bilateral cricket when Australia and Pakistan made the trip, but with the Asia Cup being a multi-team tournament, the challenges of hosting it amid economic turmoil were too great.
Hosting two teams is not the same as hosting ten teams, SLC CEO Ashley de Silva said ten days ago to ESPNcricinfo. You must give fuel for 10 buses for everyone. You have to give each team a baggage car with fuel and transport for the managers. You also have to provide transport for the sponsors and make sure they get the kilometers they have. Fuel will also have to be found for the generators to power the floodlights. “
The ACC had limited options for back-up seats given that June to September is the monsoon season in most of the Indian subcontinent. In terms of infrastructure and travel, the UAE has proven to be a successful location, but late August and early September generally sees extreme temperatures of over 40°C and humidity is expected to be a factor.
The Asia Cup, which was last held in 2018, will this time be played in the T20 format and serve as a preparation for the World Cup in October. It will begin with a qualifying round of matches between the UAE, Kuwait, Singapore and Hong Kong. The winner advances to the main tournament to play Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.
