Pakistan Cricket Board has ended all speculation regarding the venue for the hosting of Asia Cup 2020. PCB has confirmed that Asia Cup will be played at a neutral venue. This year Asia Cup was to be held in Pakistan, but due to India's stand, they had to agree to the venue change.
India had cut down all of their bilateral ties with Pakistan and were all set to boycott the tournament if it was hosted by Pakistan. PCB also admitted that if India didn't participate in the tournament it wouldn't have helped ACC to generate funds so it was necessary to change the venue for Asia Cup 2020.
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“There are so many new cricket-playing nations in Asia and they required funds for that. The organizers get the funds by hosting the Asia Cup. In case India stays out, it is unlikely that the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) would generate the required funds. Thus, we have decided not to force organizers to hold the Asia Cup in Pakistan,” PCB President Ehsan Mani told thenews.com.pk
Ehsan Mani also was adamant that Pakistan could host the tournament as they are effectively running bilateral series in the country and the whole season of PSL is also being played in Pakistan. India last played a bilateral series against Pakistan in 2012 and last played a full series in a home series against Pakistan in 2007. India last toured Pakistan in 2006 for a full bilateral series and last toured Pakistan in 2008 for Asia Cup where they lost to Sri Lanka in the finals.
Earlier, BCCI President Sourav Ganguly had confirmed that Asia Cup will be held in UAE where the tournament was also held in 2018. At that time PCB president Ehsan Mani had claimed that nothing was decided. India is the defending champions of the tournament and would love to defend their title.
