IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal has confirmed that BCCI Secretary Jay Shah and PCB Head Zaka Ashraf had discussions regarding the Asia Cup schedule during a meeting. It has been decided that the highly anticipated matches between India and Pakistan will take place in Sri Lanka, as the Rohit Sharma-led Indian team will not be traveling to Pakistan. Dhumal, who is currently in Durban for the ICC Chief Executives Meet (CEC), stated that the schedule was finalized after the meeting between Jay Shah and Zaka Ashraf, which took place ahead of the scheduled ICC Board meeting on Thursday.
“Our secretary met with PCB head Zaka Ashraf, and the Asia Cup schedule was finalized as planned. There will be four league stage games in Pakistan, followed by nine games in Sri Lanka, including both India versus Pakistan matches. If both teams reach the final, there may be a third match,” Dhumal informed PTI from Durban.
Dhumal dismissed reports from Pakistani media claiming that India would be traveling to Pakistan, as stated by their Sports Minister Ehsan Mazari in some quarters.
“No such discussions took place. India is not traveling to Pakistan, and our secretary will not be traveling either, contrary to the surfaced reports. Only the schedule has been finalized,” Dhumal added.
It is highly likely that India will face Pakistan in Dambulla, Sri Lanka, similar to the 2010 edition of the tournament. Pakistan’s only home match will be against Nepal. The other three games in the schedule include Afghanistan versus Bangladesh, Bangladesh versus Sri Lanka, and Sri Lanka versus Afghanistan.