Asia Cup called off after being shafted from Pakistan to Sri Lanka owing to Covid-19

Like many of the sporting events in Asia, the mega cricketing event Asia Cup has also been called off owing to the increasing number of Covid-19 cases. The event was supposed to be held in Pakistan but it was shifted to Sri Lanka due to controversies between India and Pakistan. 

On Wednesday, the cricketing body announced that the 2021 Asia Cup has been shifted due rapid increase of coronavirus cases in the island nation. The tournament was last held in 2018 and it was decided that it will be held this year in Sri Lanka in June. 

But given the circumstances, Sri Lanka Cricket CEO Ashley de Silva announced that it will be extremely difficult for them to conduct the tournament. He told the reporters, “Due to the prevailing situation, it will not be possible to play the tournament in June this year.”

Due to political tensions,India refused to travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup hence taking away the opportunity from the country to host the Asia Cup. It was because of this pressure that cricketing bodies decided to conduct the tournament in Sri Lanka. 

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The cricketing tournament cannot be held for more than one and a half years for the playing nations which means that a window may only be opened after 2023. Last month, even Indian Premier LEague was canceled after a few players tested positive for covid-19. 

Sri Lanka had claimed that in September, the country may prepare for IPL matches to be conducted but as the coronavirus cases are on a rise even in the island nation, it has become nearly impossible for the nation to host either of the tournaments. 

BBC president Saurav Ganguly had earlier assured that he will try to find a window in the hectic year but cannot guarantee anything as not only there is a scare of covid-19 in the country but cricketers are also finding it difficult to follow such a heavy schedule.