The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have reportedly reached an agreement regarding the participation of the Indian cricket team in the upcoming Asia Cup.
The next edition of the tournament is scheduled to be held in Pakistan. However, India’s reluctance to travel to Pakistan had mad things complicated for PCB as well as the Asian Cricket Council.
Now, according to ESPNcricinfo, the two cricket boards are close to reach an agreement, which will allow the Men in Blue to play their games at a neutral venue.
It is pertinent to mention that the rest of the tournament will be played in Pakistan. The exact location of India’s games is still unknown but the most likely options are UAE, Oman, Sri Lanka, and even England.
Asia Cup will be held in Pakistan in September this year. Both the arch rivals have been included in the same group, along with a qualifier.
The other group includes Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. A total of 13 matches will played, top two teams from each group will qualify for Super 4s and then to the final.
In order to make sure everything goes as per plan, a small working group has been constituted, which will create a schedule and travel plan that works for all teams and the broadcaster.
Furthermore, before choosing the second venue outside Pakistan, the weather conditions will also be taken into account. However, the good thing is that there is no shortage of options.
ESPNcricinfo confirmed that a meeting of all members of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) took place on the sidelines of the ICC’s quarterly board meetings in Dubai last weekend.
All the members agree in principle that hosting India’s game outside Pakistan was the most suitable option.
PCB chairman Najam Sethi represented Pakistan, while India was represented by BCCI’s secretary Jay Shah and Arun Dhumal, the IPL governing council chairman.