The next year’s Asia Cup Tournament, scheduled by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) in Bangladesh, will be postponed if Pakistan team’s tour to India takes place in March-April.
A source in the ACC said there was no problem regarding the dates of the Asia Cup clashing with the Pakistan tour to India as it had been decided that if the tour took place, the Asia Cup would be postponed.
“This decision was taken in principle at the ACC Executive Council meeting and both the Pakistan and Indian boards also supported it,” the source added.
A PCB source said Pakistan team’s tour to India was the top priority as compare to the Asia Cup. He pointed out that the tour was very important as the bilateral cricket ties between the two countries had been suspended since 2008 in the wake of the Mumbai terror attacks.
The Asia Cup is originally supposed to be held after every two years but since its inception it has been a victim of postponements and other problems mainly due to the political climate in the region, particularly relations between Pakistan and India. A PCB official, when asked about why there was still a question mark surrounding the Pakistan team’s tour to India, said the board had no issues going ahead with the tour. “But the series is still some months away and we need formal government clearance,” he added.
He said Pakistan and Indian governments had indicated that they wanted the resumption of bilateral cricket ties but a lot of groundwork was needed to be done.
“That is why the chapter is being kept open but there are strong chances the series will be held on schedule next year,” he added.