Asia Cup 2022 | UAE emerges as preferred venue to replace Sri Lanka

The ongoing financial and political crisis in Sri Lanka has caught the cricket board in a fix. As a result, Sri Lankan Cricket (SLC) is looking for alternate venues to host the 2022 Asia Cup, which is scheduled from August 27 to September 11.

According to the Sunday Times, the country's premier cricketing body is gearing up to shift the tournament to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with the situation in the country escalating ever so quickly. SLC's top brass are currently in India attending the IPL final and will most likely convey their decision to Asian Cricket Council President Jay Shah during this visit.

"Under the current circumstances, it’s much more feasible to have the tournament in UAE.

So the Ex-Co decided to shift it to UAE where the matches will be played in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah," stated an informed source from the board.

The six-nation tournament will include Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, with the final team to be picked through the qualifying stage. This edition will be held in a T20 format, keeping in mind the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup in October.

Sri Lanka will retain the hosting rights even if the venue is shifted to the UAE, ensuring the board earns USD 5 million, including around USD 2.5 million as the hosts' rights fee and around USD 2 million as a share of the revenue.

The decision will not affect the scheduled Australia and Pakistan tours, which will go ahead as planned.

Australia are due to play 2-Test, 5-ODIs, and 3-T20Is during their stay in Lanka from June to July. Australia A will visit the nation and is expected to play two limited-overs games and as many four-day games.

Pakistan will play a two-Test series with the ODI leg of the tour being called off.

It is being said that India might play a two-T20I series in Sri Lanka to help the board with much-needed financial gains.