Sri Lanka Cricket claims to host Asia Cup – Cricket is different from the current crisis

Due to the serious situation in Sri Lanka, next month’s Asia Cup is under question. Sri Lanka Cricket, however, has claimed to host the Asia Cup. Sri Lanka Cricket Secretary Mohan de Silva said that he is confident of hosting the Asia Cup. The Asia Cup is to be organized in the end of August.

Unrest has escalated in Sri Lanka over the past week as protesters barged into the Rashtrapati Bhavan demanding the resignation of both caretaker President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. President Rajapaksa has reportedly fled to the Maldives and his luxurious residence has been taken over by the general public.

However, Sri Lanka successfully hosted Australia in the midst of a recent political and economic crisis, and according to de Silva, cricket has remained aloof from the crisis. The Australians arrived in June for a T20, ODI and two-Test tour, which ended the Test series with Sri Lanka in a 1–1 draw in Galle in real conditions.

Will decide on Friday

Another reason why de Silva remains optimistic about the Asia Cup is that the Pakistan team has recently come here to play a two-match Test series. The Pakistanis have already played warm-up matches and the PCB has confirmed that the guests have not been affected by the political clashes outside.

A final decision on whether Sri Lanka will be retained as the venue for the six-nation Asia Cup will be taken by the Asian Cricket Council on Friday.