The Asia Cup is "likely" to be moved out of Sri Lanka in the wake of political unrest in the island nation, SLC secretary Mohan de Silva said on Sunday, adding that the tournament could be played in the UAE. Sri Lanka, which has been battling an economic crisis, has witnessed widespread protests against the government for weeks.

However, the situation worsened with president Gotabaya Rajapaksa fleeing the country on a military jet. "The Asia Cup is very likely that it will be held in the UAE," Sri Lanka Cricket secretary de Silva told PTI when asked about a possible change in the venue of the T20 tournament.

The dates for the six-team tournament are expected to remain the same as scheduled earlier from August 26 to September 11. A qualifier will also take place before the main event with Hong Kong, Singapore, Kuwait and UAE battling out for the one qualification spot.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/pakistan-captain-babar-azam-breaks-virat-kohlis-record-to-achieve-elusive-feat-498185">Pakistan captain Babar Azam breaks Virat Kohli's record to achieve elusive feat</a>

Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, India and Bangladesh will be the five full-member teams. With Australia tour of Sri Lanka going off smoothly and Pakistan currently playing Test cricket in Sri Lanka, there were hopes that the SLC might be able to host the continental event.

The tournament serves as good preparation for the Asian teams ahead of the T20 World Cup in Australia in October-November. An official announcement from the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) on the change in tournament venue is expected soon. The ACC is headed by BCCI secretary Jay Shah.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/one-champion-to-another-harbhajan-lauds-babar-azam-virat-kohli-over-heartfelt-twitter-exchange-498165">'One champion to another': Harbhajan lauds Babar Azam, Virat Kohli over heartfelt Twitter exchange</a>

Pakistan Cricket Board on Saturday said that it wanted Asia Cup to be played in Sri Lanka.

"Our first preference is to support Sri Lanka and play the Asia Cup there. If this tournament does not take place in Sri Lanka, it will be a huge cricketing and financial loss for them. Australia's recent tour of Sri Lanka went off without any problems," said PCB chief executive Faisal Hasnain in a statement.

"Similarly, there have been no issues with the ongoing Pakistan tour of Sri Lanka as we are constantly in touch with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and our embassy in the country.

Our discussions with the ACC representatives have suggested that the tournament is on track at the moment as they are monitoring the situation very carefully and we will support their decision."

The Asia Cup is "likely" to be moved out of Sri Lanka in the wake of political unrest in the island nation, SLC secretary Mohan de Silva said on Sunday, adding that the tournament could be played in the UAE.

The Asia Cup is "likely" to be moved out of Sri Lanka in the wake of political unrest in the island nation, SLC secretary Mohan de Silva said on Sunday, adding that the tournament could be played in the UAE. Sri Lanka, which has been battling an economic crisis, has witnessed widespread protests against the government for weeks. However, the situation worsened with president Gotabaya Rajapaksa fleeing the country on a military jet. "The Asia Cup is very likely that it will be held in the UAE," Sri Lanka Cricket secretary de Silva told PTI when asked about a possible change in the venue of the T20 tournament. The dates for the six-team tournament are expected to remain the same as scheduled earlier from August 26 to September 11. A qualifier will also take place before the main event with Hong Kong, Singapore, Kuwait and UAE battling out for the one qualification spot. Also Read: Pakistan captain Babar Azam breaks Virat Kohli's record to achieve elusive feat Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, India and Bangladesh will be the five full-member teams. With Australia tour of Sri Lanka going off smoothly and Pakistan currently playing Test cricket in Sri Lanka, there were hopes that the SLC might be able to host the continental event. The tournament serves as good preparation for the Asian teams ahead of the T20 World Cup in Australia in October-November. An official announcement from the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) on the change in tournament venue is expected soon. The ACC is headed by BCCI secretary Jay Shah. Also Read: 'One champion to another': Harbhajan lauds Babar Azam, Virat Kohli over heartfelt Twitter exchange Pakistan Cricket Board on Saturday said that it wanted Asia Cup to be played in Sri Lanka. "Our first preference is to support Sri Lanka and play the Asia Cup there. If this tournament does not take place in Sri Lanka, it will be a huge cricketing and financial loss for them. Australia's recent tour of Sri Lanka went off without any problems," said PCB chief executive Faisal Hasnain in a statement. "Similarly, there have been no issues with the ongoing Pakistan tour of Sri Lanka as we are constantly in touch with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and our embassy in the country. Our discussions with the ACC representatives have suggested that the tournament is on track at the moment as they are monitoring the situation very carefully and we will support their decision."

Asia Cup 2022 likely to be shifted from Sri Lanka to UAE, says SLC secretary Mohan de Silva

Sri Lanka's Cricket Board on Thursday said that it will go ahead with its tour of Pakistan despite fears that players could be the targets of terror attacks during the six-match visit.

Sri Lanka Cricket Secretary Mohan de Silva said that they received the all-clear from the defence ministry to leave for Pakistan on Tuesday after establishing that there was no threat to the national team.

Sri Lanka Cricket Board added in a statement that the governing body was assured the Pakistan army would coordinate security set at a level usually reserved for a Head of State.

"Sri Lanka Cricket wishes to announce that the forthcoming tour of Pakistan will go ahead as planned, following assurances given by the government of Pakistan that it will provide maximum security", the statement said.

De Silva added that he and "our office bearers will also be accompanying the team".

Reports from last week about a possible terror attack were referred to the defence ministry for investigation.

The Sri Lankan team was the target of an attack during a Test match in Pakistan's Lahore in March 2009, with six players injured when gunmen attacked their bus.

Six Pakistani policemen and two civilians were killed.

Since the attack, a majority of international teams have refused to tour the South Asian country.

Sri Lanka's first match in Lahore after that was one T20 game against Pakistan in October 2017.

De Silva visited Pakistan last month along with a security consultant to check out the arrangements made by the hosts.

The six-match tour, due to start on September 27, was put on hold last week after the Sri Lanka prime minister's office warned the board it had unspecified information about a possible attack against its players.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said it was not aware of any information relating to the safety of the Sri Lankan team, but reiterated its commitment to providing security.

Ten senior players opted out of the tour citing security concerns.

Sri Lanka has already announced two squads for the three one-day internationals and the three T20 matches.

Match schedule:

1st ODI -- Karachi, September 27

2nd ODI -- Karachi, September 29

3rd ODI -- Karachi, October 2

1st T20 -- Lahore, October 5

2nd T20 -- Lahore, October 7

3rd T20 -- Lahore, October 9

Sri Lanka's Cricket Board on Thursday said that it will go ahead with its tour of Pakistan despite fears that players could be the targets of terror attacks during the six-match visit.

Sri Lanka's Cricket Board on Thursday said that it will go ahead with its tour of Pakistan despite fears that players could be the targets of terror attacks during the six-match visit. Sri Lanka Cricket Secretary Mohan de Silva said that they received the all-clear from the defence ministry to leave for Pakistan on Tuesday after establishing that there was no threat to the national team. Sri Lanka Cricket Board added in a statement that the governing body was assured the Pakistan army would coordinate security set at a level usually reserved for a Head of State. "Sri Lanka Cricket wishes to announce that the forthcoming tour of Pakistan will go ahead as planned, following assurances given by the government of Pakistan that it will provide maximum security", the statement said. De Silva added that he and "our office bearers will also be accompanying the team". Reports from last week about a possible terror attack were referred to the defence ministry for investigation. The Sri Lankan team was the target of an attack during a Test match in Pakistan's Lahore in March 2009, with six players injured when gunmen attacked their bus. Six Pakistani policemen and two civilians were killed. Since the attack, a majority of international teams have refused to tour the South Asian country. Sri Lanka's first match in Lahore after that was one T20 game against Pakistan in October 2017. De Silva visited Pakistan last month along with a security consultant to check out the arrangements made by the hosts. The six-match tour, due to start on September 27, was put on hold last week after the Sri Lanka prime minister's office warned the board it had unspecified information about a possible attack against its players. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said it was not aware of any information relating to the safety of the Sri Lankan team, but reiterated its commitment to providing security. Ten senior players opted out of the tour citing security concerns. Sri Lanka has already announced two squads for the three one-day internationals and the three T20 matches. Match schedule: 1st ODI -- Karachi, September 27 2nd ODI -- Karachi, September 29 3rd ODI -- Karachi, October 2 1st T20 -- Lahore, October 5 2nd T20 -- Lahore, October 7 3rd T20 -- Lahore, October 9

Sri Lankan cricket team to go ahead with Pakistan tour despite terror fears

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Asia Cup 2022 likely to be shifted from Sri Lanka to UAE, says SLC secretary Mohan de Silva

Sri Lankan cricket team to go ahead with Pakistan tour despite terror fears