ACC likely to shift Asia Cup from Pakistan

The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) is expected to shift Asia Cup from Pakistan and decide on an alternate venue next month as BCCI Secretary Jay Shah and PCB Chairman Najam Sethi discussed the issue during a formal meeting in Bahrain yesterday, February 4.

All heads of ACC member nations attended the emergent meeting which was called at the behest of Mr. Sethi after the continental body released its itinerary and Pakistan was not named the host for the Asia Cup.

The Asia Cup was initially allotted to Pakistan and was scheduled for September this year.

While a decision will come only next month, a senior BCCI official privy to the development said, it is highly unlikely that Pakistan will host the tournament.

In another decision, the ACC has decided to increase the annual budget allocated for Afghanistan Cricket Association to 15 per cent from six.

The ACC has assured that it would help the Afghanistan board in all possible ways so that women's cricket could be revived in the country.

Women, however, are banned from playing sports under Taliban rule.