The Sri Lanka Cricket Board have recommended the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) to change the dates of the Asia Cup 2022.
As per a report of The News, Sri Lanka has proposed an early start of the Asia Cup 2022. The tournament was planned to commence on August 27, but it could now start as early as August 24 and will run till September 7.
Two of the participating teams, including Pakistan, approached the Sri Lankan board for the change of dates. After which, the host nation sought ACC's approval for the same.
"Adjustments in the dates are made following a request from the SL Board from a couple of participating teams, including Pakistan, on the possible clash of international fixtures. Pakistan is to host England for seven T20 Internationals in the latter part of September," a source said as quoted to The News.
Pakistan are scheduled to face England in a T20I series immediately after the Asia Cup. If the proposal is given a green signal, then the Pakistani team will have ample time to prepare for the England T20Is.
"If Asia Cup goes ahead on the new dates of August 24 and ends on September 7, it would be perfect dates from Pakistan's perspective as the team will be back home well in time for the start of the T20 series against England," the source added.
Asia Cup 2022 will be a six-team competition and will be played in the T20 format this time around. Given the political tension in Sri Lanka, the event may be shifted to the UAE. But the host board is still pretty optimistic about planning the tournament in the country itself.
India will head to the tournament as the defending champions as they won the competition in 2018.