Asia Cup: Will Bangladesh lose event to Sri Lanka?
Bangladesh hosted the last edition of the Asia Cup in 2012, when they lost to Pakistan in the final. They had also hosted the tournament back in 2000, which was also won by Pakistan.
Bangladesh's fate as Asia Cup hosts depends on an Asian Cricket Council (ACC) meeting in Sri Lanka this week. The political strife in Bangladesh is a cause for worry as teams may not be willing to travel to Dhaka which is scheduled to host three major international cricket events between January and April.
Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president N. Srinivasan is travelling to Colombo on Friday as Sri Lanka is fast emerging as an alternative venue. However, the final decision is unlikely to be reached soon because the Asia Cup is scheduled to begin on February 24. The four-nation, single venue event, makes it quite easy for the ACC to find an optional venue. Pakistan have reportedly indicated their unwillingness to travel to Bangladesh.
Sources say Sri Lanka will have a good chance to host the Asia Cup and will also get India's support. Abu Dhabi has been ruled out as an alternative venue because as per rules only playing teams can host the event. As per the ICC calendar, Sri Lanka are scheduled to tour Bangladesh from January 24 and the Lankan visit will be crucial for Bangladesh to prove their ability to provide security. Bangladesh got the right to host the 2014 Asia Cup after India had declined to do so.