The Board of Control for Cricket in India president Sourav Ganguly on Friday said the next Asia Cup will be held in Dubai, paving the way for both India and Pakistan to participate in the continental tournament.
Pakistan was the designated host for the tournament scheduled for September, but with the BCCI stating that the Indian team would not be able to travel owing to security concerns, the event has been moved to Dubai.
“Asia Cup will be held in Dubai and both India and Pakistan will play,” Ganguly told reporters at the Eden Gardens before leaving for Dubai for the Asian Cricket Council meeting, to be held on March 3.
Earlier, the BCCI had said they have no problem with Pakistan hosting the tournament, provided it is held at a neutral venue. India and Pakistan have not played a bilateral series since 2012-’13. Due to the ongoing political tensions between the two countries, India and Pakistan have only met in major ICC competitions since early 2013.
The BCCI president congratulated the Harmanpreet Kaur-led Indian team for making the Women’s T20 World Cup semifinal with a three-run win over New Zealand in Melbourne.
“They are playing some fantastic cricket and have qualified. Nobody is favourites in a world tournament. They are a good side, let’s see where they finish,” Ganguly said.
The former India captain backed Virat Kohli’s side to bounce back from the Basin Reverse debacle and level the two-match Test series in New Zealand. “They have come back back before. I’m sure they will bounce back again. There’s still one Test remaining,” Ganguly said.