Asia Cup postponement to put BCB’s resumption plans on hold?

Words have been exchanged between relevant boards, at least through the media, with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) media director saying yesterday that BCCI president Sourav Ganguly's announcement of the cancellation of the Asia Cup, holds no weight.

However, it was confirmed through an Asian Cricket Council press release yesterday that the tournament has been postponed. They added that they would try to reschedule for June 2021.

The tournament was scheduled to be held late this year with Pakistan playing hosts. India's reluctance to play in Pakistan meant the ACC were looking for a move to neutral territory. With the coronavirus pandemic dictating things, the PCB were keen for Sri Lanka to host the tournament on their behalf.

BCCI president Ganguly had announced on Wednesday that the tournament had been called off, although he did not offer any explanation.

Bangladesh Cricket Board president Nazmul Hassan is the current president of the ACC and is currently in England. But the postponement may also throw off Bangladesh's plans to return to training with the target of playing the Asia Cup.

BCB Cricket Operations Committee chairman Akram Khan had told The Daily Star they were 'keen to target the Asia Cup since preparation for the shorter version is relatively easier'.

With the fate of the ICC World T20 2020 in doubt, Bangladesh's only realistic chance for cricket this year are the three T20Is in New Zealand (October) and three ODIs at home against Sri Lanka (December). Given the state of the pandemic, a return to cricket and those series taking place now looks like a difficult prospect.