Proud that UAE will host the Asia Cup, says Nahyan

dubai — The Asian Cricket Council’s decision to move the Asia Cup from India to the UAE received praise from Emirates Cricket Board chairman Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan.

The biennial event was due to be held in India in September but Pakistan refused to cross the border as relations between the two countries continue to simmer.

As such, the UAE was confirmed as the host venue with Abu Dhabi and Dubai playing host to the tournament from September 13 to 28. The tournament will feature defending champions India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan while there will be a qualifying round to select the sixth team.

Sheikh Nahyan was exceptionally pleased the high-profile and immensely-popular tournament will be played on UAE soil.

“Emirates Cricket is very proud for the UAE to be chosen as host venue of the ACC Asia Cup. Our board has very close relationships with our Asian Cricket counterparts and, with the full support of our national sports councils and the Emirates Cricket Board members.

“This is a very important tournament in the ACC calendar, and one we are extremely pleased to secure, especially during the auspicious ‘Year of Zayed’. We extend our sincere thanks to the ACC, Asia Cup hosts BCCI, and all Member Unions for their trust and unanimous support.” added Sheikh Nahyan.

India has suspended bilateral cricket ties with Pakistan since the 2008 attacks in Mumbai, which New Delhi blamed on militants based across the border.

However India has continued to square off with Pakistan in international events like the 2016 Asia Cup in Bangladesh, the World Twenty20 at home and the 2017 Champions Trophy in England.

The Asia Cup has been marred by strained Indo-Pak relations since its inception when the UAE hosted it in 1984.

Two years later, India pulled out of the event in Sri Lanka, while Pakistan refused to send its team to India when it hosted the cup in 1991.