Uncertainty Looms Over Asia Cup as PCB Proposes Tri-Nation Tournament

The Asia Cup is scheduled to be held in India in September. The situation has become complicated after the Pahalgaon attack. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) does not want to face Pakistan on the cricket field. PCB officials have also taken almost the same position. It is hard to stage the Asia Cup without India or Pakistan. Even if there is a third nation staging the competition, the India-Pakistan match could be a problem. Thus, the Asia Cup itself has turned uncertain. 

PCB Proposes Tri-Nation Tournament 

Officials of the PCB are attempting to make use of this situation. They wish to stage a tri-nation tournament prior to the Asia Cup. The PCB has begun negotiations with cricket authorities of Afghanistan and the United Arab Emirates. The PCB wishes to arrange a tri-nation series in August.

Tri-Series Strategy 

There is a section of the cricket community that thinks Pakistan officials are mulling holding an alternate tournament in order to put pressure on the BCCI. They think there will not be any issue getting the UAE. Their target is to get Afghanistan. The PCB is negotiating with the Afghan officials.

Pending Asia Cup Decision

PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has become the President of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC). The ACC intends to make a speedy decision on the Asia Cup. The BCCI has not made any formal announcement about hosting the Asia Cup yet. The BCCI stand can be sought in that meeting.