The Asia Cup that was slated to take place in 2021 has now been postponed to 2023 due to COVID-19 situation. The Asian Cricket Council Executive Board in a statement said that it is not feasible to hold the tournament this year and the next year. There is already one edition of the Asia Cup lined up for 2022.
“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. 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. 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 said.
The tournament that was rescheduled for June 2021 was postponed for an indefinite time earlier. Pakistan had the hosting rights for the 2020 edition which were later exchanged with Sri Lanka citing security reasons after the postponement.
The Asia Cup was last played in the year 2018 in UAE where the Indian team emerged as the champions.
India defeated Bangladesh in the title clash in Dubai by 3 wickets after chasing down a target of 223 runs in 50 overs. Liton Das struck a hundred for Bangladesh but that went in vain as India eventually lifted the trophy.