New Delhi | Jagran Sports Desk: In a major setback for Pakistan, the Asia Cup -- scheduled to be held in September -- will not be held in the neighbouring country, said a media report on Thursday.
According to a News Nation report, the withdrawal of hosting rights from Pakistan comes after the Indian Cricket Board refused to tour its neighbouring country, with whom the ties have been on an all-time low in wake of terror attacks on India by Pak-sponsored terrorists.
Reports claimed that a final decision on the venue for the tournament will be taken in February and it could be hosted in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka or Dubai.
In September last year, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had said that it has set a June, 2020, deadline for the Indian Cricket Board to confirm its participation in Asia Cup.
Earlier it was reported that the forthcoming edition of the Asia Cup could also be UAE-bound with Pakistan given the hosting rights of the tournament in 2020, as organising it in its own country will cast serious doubts on India's participation owing to diplomatic tensions.
The Asia Cup will be played in the Twenty20 format this year in order to prepare for the marquee World T20 which will be played after a gap of four years and will be played in Australia for the first time.
Pakistan had last hosted the Asia Cup in 2008 when it had failed to make it through the knockouts. India ended its campaign as the runner-ups after a defeat at the hands of Sri Lanka.
The latest announcement has come at a time when Bangladesh's cricket team have refused to tour Pakistan for a Test series which is part of the ICC World Test Championships.
Bangladesh have expressed their displeasure at the security which has been provided for them and the Bangladesh Cricket Board, after advice from the central government, has said they will play Twenty20 Internationals in the country but they want one Test to be held in Dhaka and the other at a neutral venue. The Pakistan Cricket Board have rejected the offer.