New Delhi: Sri Lanka was picked as the official host of Asia Cup 2022 last month. The tournament is set to be played in T20 format. The tournament is slated to start on August 27, but due to the economic crisis, the hosting rights for Asia Cup 2022 may be snatched from Sri Lanka. Reportedly, the island nation has received an ultimatum from the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) regarding the Asia Cup.
“As of now, it would be really tough to say whether they can host the Asia cup. What I know is they are hopeful and very positive about this issue. There is still time in hand to take a call but at the same time as per protocol they have been given a deadline to decide on the same,” a source was quoted as saying by India Today.
India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and host Sri Lanka will be participating in the Asia Cup, but the island nation could lose its hosting rights due to the ongoing economic and political crisis. The Asia Cup has already been postponed by two years due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
Sri Lanka has been given time till July 27 to confirm whether it will be able to host the Asia Cup 2022 amid the economic crisis that has led to widespread protests across the country.
Sri Lanka is facing an acute shortage of essential commodities and fuel due to rising inflation and depleting foreign exchange reserves. Several former cricketers including Arjun Ranatunga and Sanath Jayasuriya are protesting against the government.
According to a report in Cricket Pakistan, there are high chances of some other country getting the hosting rights of Asia Cup 2022.