Not possible to host Asia Cup in June this year: SLC Chief Ashley de Silva

The 2021 Asia Cup, which was scheduled to be held in June, has been called off due to the rising COVID concerns in Sri Lanka. The tournament was shifted from Pakistan to Sri Lanka.

While the Jay Shah-led Asian Cricket Council (ACC) is yet to make any official announcement. Sri Lanka Cricket chief executive Ashley de Silva stated on Wednesday that the island nation would not be able to host the tournament in June.

“Due to the prevailing situation, it will not be possible to play the tournament in June this year,” Sri Lanka Cricket CEO Ashley de Silva told reporters.

The Sri Lankan government has imposed a 10-day ban on international air arrivals. Sri Lanka is set to host Team India in July for a bilateral limited-overs series.

Given that all of the teams competing in the Asia Cup have series scheduled in the coming months, it is highly unlikely that it will be held later this year. The tournament is likely to be postponed until 2022, with another tournament the following year, in 2023, hosted by Pakistan and Sri Lanka, respectively.