Commit best team to Asia cup: PCB to counterparts

The PCB has taken assurance from its Asian counterparts to send the best teams for the event.

Concerned that the crammed international schedule may prompt top players to opt out of the upcoming Asia Cup, the Pakistan Cricket Board has taken assurance from its counterparts in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh that the best teams would be sent for the event.

A PCB source said the assurance was taken in the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) executive council meeting held in Colombo on Sunday, in which preparations for the Asia Cup were also discussed in detail.

“Pakistan had got feelers that perhaps due to the hectic schedule of international cricket and with the Indian Premier League also proving taxing on the players, some players might opt for a rest,” a PCB source said.

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The source also said that the ACC also discussed the concept of having an Asian twenty20 league was also discussed but nothing was finalised.

“The feeling is that such a league would give the weaker teams in the region an ideal opportunity to get exposure and provide more competition to the big teams,” the source said.

Chief executive of the ACC, Ashraful Haque said the PCB had also prepared a detailed presentation on the progress of the Asia Cup.

“The presentation covered everything including security plans and everybody is satisfied and has accepted the recommendations made by the Pakistan board,” Haque said.

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Haque said the budget for the tournament was also approved in the meeting.

The tournament is due to be held from June 24 to July 6 in Karachi and Lahore.

Besides the four Test playing nations in Asia, Hong Kong and United Arab Emirates will also participate in the tournament to be held for the first time in Pakistan. The last edition was held in 2004 in Sri Lanka.