India vs Pakistan match likely in Asia Cup as BCCI set to host T20 tournament in UAE: Report

The Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) is set to host the upcoming Asia Cup tournament that will be played in T20 format in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with the formal announcement expected in a few days' time, PTI reported citing Asian Cricket Council (ACC) sources on Thursday.

ACC chairman and Pakistan Cricket Board head Mohsin Naqvi also kept cards close to his chest when asked about a possible Indo-Pak match at the continental event.

The decision was reportedly made after an ACC meeting that all 25 member countries attended to discuss the venue for the event. BCCI was represented by its vice-president Rajeev Shukla virtually.


"The BCCI will host the Asia Cup in the UAE. India is likely to play all its matches in Dubai. There are still deliberations on scheduling," an ACC source told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

The fortnight-long tournament will be likely held in September. The tournament needs to end before the final week of the month as India is scheduled to host West Indies.

"Our vice-president Rajeev Shukla ji attended the ACC meeting. He will brief the members. I don't believe in speculations so you will get to know officially in a few days time," BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia told PTI.

"We will announce it shortly. We have had discussions with the BCCI and there are a few issues that we will resolve shortly. All 25 members attended the meet either physically or virtually. We are all on same page," Naqvi told reporters.

It is also learnt that due to BCCI's pressure, only two out of 10 items on the agenda, were discussed.

The tensions between India and Pakistan had escalated in the past two months following the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. In reply, India launched Operation Sindoor targeting terror bases in Pakistan and PoK, which saw heightened miliary tension between May 7 and 10.

Recently, the Indian Champions team in the Legends League pulled out of the match against Pakistan amid strained bilateral relationship.