Asia Cup to be held in Dubai, both India and Pakistan will play: BCCI president Sourav Ganguly
BCCI President Sourav Ganguly has stressed that the Asia Cup tournament scheduled to be held later in 2020, will be organized in the UAE with India and Pakistan both featuring in the multi-nation series.
In Short
- I'm sure they will bounce back again: Sourav Ganguly on India's chances in 2nd Test vs New Zealand
- Nobody is favourites in a world tournament: Ganguly on India women's team at T20 World Cup
- Ganguly on Friday left for Dubai for the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) meeting, to be held on March 3
BCCI president Sourav Ganguly on Friday said the next Asia Cup will be held in Dubai, paving the way for both India and Pakistan to participate in the continental tournament.
Pakistan was the designated host for the tournament scheduled for September, but with the BCCI making it clear that the Indian team would not be able to travel to the neighboring country owing to security concerns, the event has been moved to Dubai.
"Asia Cup will be held in Dubai and both India and Pakistan will play," Ganguly told reporters at the Eden Gardens before leaving for Dubai for the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) meeting, to be held on March 3.
Earlier, the BCCI had said they have no problem with Pakistan hosting the tournament, provided it is held at a neutral venue.
India and Pakistan have not played a bilateral series since 2012-13 when Pakistan visited the country for a limited-overs series.
Due to the ongoing political tensions between the two countries, India and Pakistan have only met in major ICC competitions since early 2013.
The BCCI president congratulated the Harmanpreet Kaur-led Indian team for making the Women's T20 World Cup semifinal with a three-run win over New Zealand in Melbourne.
"They are playing some fantastic cricket and have qualified. Nobody is favourites in a world tournament. They are a good side, let's see where they finish," Ganguly said of the women's cricket team that won three matches in a row to seal a last-four berth.
The former India captain backed Virat Kohli's side to bounce back from the Basin Reverse debacle and level the two-match Test series in New Zealand.
"They have come back before. I'm sure they will bounce back again. There's still one Test remaining," Ganguly said.
He refused to comment on Bengal's Ranji Trophy semifinal against Karnataka, starting here on Saturday.
Bengal, who lost to Delhi in their last semifinal appearance two seasons ago, are aiming to make their first Ranji Trophy final since 2006-07.
"It's two different generations. Fingers crossed, we will talk after five days. It depends on who plays well. I don't want to talk about it now," Ganguly said.