ACC Decide to Host Asia Cup in Pakistan, Big Blow for India

India faced a major blow recently as the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has reportedly decided to host the Asia Cup in Pakistan. As Pakistan will host the competition, India are not likely to tour the country. With this, their hope of defending the title seems problematic.

The bilateral relation between the two nations is pretty bad. They have not played a full bilateral Test series since 2007 when Pakistan toured India for three Tests and five One Day Internationals series. Although they played a short series of three ODIs and two T20s in India in December 2012 also. Apart from that, they played against each other only in the ICC organised events or the Asia Cup.

On the other hand, India last toured to Pakistan in 2008. The Mumbai terror attack later that year made that tour India’s last visit to the nation. The bilateral ties again became worse after the Pulwama attack in February last year. Keeping all these in mind, it is no surprise that India will not travel to the country. Moreover, the recent report suggested that the tournament might be shifted to a neutral venue.

As per the ANI, the ACC has left the decision of hosting the Asia Cup on Pakistan who awarded the hosting rights. Although ACC will meet next month to discuss the venue, it is Pakistan who will take the final call.

ACC source on Asia Cup

“ACC will have a meeting sometime in February to discuss issues related to the hosting of the Asia Cup this year. This year Pakistan is the host so it is Pakistan’s call if they want to host the tournament or not,” an ACC source shared the news.

Meanwhile, Pakistan are desperately trying to sort things out as they want to bring back international cricket in their country. West Indies, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have visited the country in recent times. With increasing tournaments, more countries would like to visit Pakistan in future too.