In a big setback for Indian Cricket lovers, the Asia Cup 2018 to be held in India has been moved to the United Arab Emirates due to Pakistan not willing to play on Indian soil. The 2018 Asia will be played between September 13 to 28th in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
The Cricketing relations between India and Pakistan had suffered due political tensions between the 2 arch rivals. Pakistan Cricket Board wanted to move the Asia Cup 2018 out of India, decided to move the Asia Cup from India to UAE was taken by executive board members at the Asian Cricket Council meeting in Kuala Lumpur today.
Pakistan and India played their last bilateral series in 2012/13. Pakistan visited India for a 3 match ODI series which the visitors won 2-1. Since then both have met in major ICC tournaments including Asia Cup, World T20, Champions Trophy and World Cup 2015.
Team India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan will take part in the tournament while a 6th team will be decided in a playoff tournament between UAE, Oman, Hong Kong, Nepal, Singapore, Malaysia and Oman.
This year’s Asia Cup will be held in a 50 over format as the previous edition was held in the T20 format as the 2016 World T20 was around the corner. There have been 14 Asia Cups with 12 being held in 50 overs competitions.
India is the defending Champions of the tournament beating Bangladesh by 8 wickets in 2016. The Indian Cricket fans would have loved to see a major tournament coming to India. India and Pakistan will face off against each other in a neutral venue. Last time, the arch-rivals met was in the ICC Champions Trophy final held in England last year. Pakistan dominated India and won the Champions Trophy title for the first time.