BCCI president Sourav Ganguly on Friday said the next Asia Cup will be held in Dubai, paving the way for both India and Pakistan to participate in the continental tournament.
Pakistan was the designated host for the tournament, which is slated to be held in September this year, but with BCCI refusing to send the Indian team to the neighboring country due to security concerns, the event has now been shifted to Dubai.
“Asia Cup will be held in Dubai and both India and Pakistan will play,” Ganguly was quoted as saying by PTI on Friday. The former India skipper was interacting with media persons at the Eden Gardens before leaving for Dubai
for the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) meeting, which will be held on March 3.
Due to the ongoing political tensions between the two countries, India and Pakistan have only met in major ICC competitions since early 2013.
The BCCI had earlier clarified that they have no problem with Pakistan hosting the tournament, provided it is held at a neutral venue. Both the nation have not played a bilateral series since 2012-13 when Pakistan visited the country for a limited-overs series.
The former India captain backed Virat Kohli's side to bounce back from the Basin Reverse debacle and level the two-match Test series in New Zealand.