Asian Cricket Council postpones Asia Cup to 2023

The 2021 Asia Cup, which was scheduled to be held in June, has officially been called off due to the rising COVID-19 concerns in the host nation of Sri Lanka. Earlier this week, Sri Lanka Cricket chief executive Ashley de Silva stated that the island nation would not be able to host the tournament in June. 

Following a review of the current situation, the Asian Cricket Council confirmed on Sunday that organising the 2021 Asia Cup would be difficult and that the event would be postponed.

“The ACC Executive Board, in face of the risks and restrictions posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, had made the difficult decision to postpone the Asia Cup 2020 to 2021. Since then, the ACC has been working with its participants and stakeholders to try and ensure that the event is held in the year,” the media release stated.

All ACC member nations have series and tours scheduled in the coming months, making it almost impossible to find a window to hold the 2021 edition. 

“However, on account of a packed FTP, it has been concluded that there is no practical window in the year when all the teams would be available to participate. The Board has accordingly considered the matter very carefully and determined that the only way ahead would be to postpone the event.” 

The Board postpones Asia Cup 2021 to 2023 because there is already a tournament planned for 2022, with Pakistan to play the host.

“It would therefore only be feasible for this edition of the tournament to be held in 2023 as there is already an Asia Cup in 2022. Dates for the same will be confirmed in due course,” the release added.