Mani contradicts Ganguly, says Asia Cup venue yet to be finalised

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President Sourav Ganguly has claimed that the upcoming edition of Asia Cup will take place in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) later this year.

While speaking to reporters at the Eden Gardens before leaving for Dubai for the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) meeting, to be held on March 3, the BCCI President confirmed India’s participation in the tournament.

"Asia Cup will be held in Dubai and both India and Pakistan will play," Ganguly said.

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BCCI also hosted the 2018 Asia Cup in UAE because of strained political relations between Pakistan and India, which made it difficult to obtain visas for the Men in Green players to play in India.

However, while speaking to Indian Express on Saturday, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman made it clear that the venue of Asia Cup 2020 is yet to be finalised.

"A final decision will be taken bearing in mind the interests of all the Asian countries. We have a few options," Mani said.

Responding on the above statement by Ganguly, another PCB spokesperson said: “Nazmul Hassan is president of ACC and not Ganguly. Any decision regarding the tournament will be taken during the upcoming meeting on March 3 in Dubai. Regardless of where the event takes place, PCB will be one taking care of the administrative matters related to the hosting of the event.”

In January this year, while speaking in an exclusive chat with Cricket Pakistan on last Friday, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chief Executive Wasim Khan had said that Pakistan is considering playing the Asia Cup matches against India at a neutral venue.

“Under the current circumstances we do not think they [India] will come to Pakistan. We have the option of playing in the UAE in this regard,” said Wasim.

Pakistan is the designated host for the tournament scheduled for September.