Sri Lanka unable to host Asia Cup: report

The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) informed the Asian Cricket Council that it is not in a position to host the upcoming Asia Cup, scheduled to be held in August and September this year, in Sri Lanka due to its ongoing political and economic crisis. 

"Sri Lankan cricket has conveyed that due to the existing political and economic situation in their country, specially where foreign exchange is concerned, it is not an ideal situation for them to host such a mega-event of six teams in the island," an ACC source was quoted as saying by Times of India. 

The official stated that the SLC officials informed that they would like to host the tournament in the UAE or some other country.

"UAE is not the final replacement venue, it could be some other country, even India as the ACC, Sri Lanka cricket will first have to talk with Emirates Cricket Board officials to get final approval for the event," the official said.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Nazmul Hassan Papon had earlier said that the BCB would want to host the Asia Cup in Bangladesh if SLC is unable to host it in Sri Lanka. 

However, the BCB CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury today informed The Daily Star that BCB has very slim chances of being handed the Asia Cup hosting rights for this edition. 

The ACC is likely to make a statement regarding the matter in the next few days.