Asia Cup: Sri Lanka shows interest to host days ahead of ACC meeting

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Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) is willing to host Asia Cup if Asian Cricket Council (ACC) couldn't agree on hosting the continental tournament in Pakistan, reported Cricbuzz on Monday. ACC officials are expected to meet soon to decide on the venue for the 50-over event.

"The SLC is prepared to host the Asia Cup at short notice. The decision now is up to the ACC," a top SLC official told Cricbuzz on Monday. Sri Lanka's claim comes after BCCI secretary Jay Shah reportedly told ACC members in Ahmedabad on Sunday that the Indian board is not backing the hybrid model suggested by Pakistan.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Najam Sethi's hybrid model suggests co-hosting Asia Cup in Pakistan and UAE, with the latter hosting all of India's matches. However, BCCI pointed out the logistical inconvenience of the model and remained adamant about hosting the tournament in Sri Lanka instead.

Pakistan, who are officially declared the host for Asia Cup 2023, are finding no takers at the moment as Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan cricket boards, who earlier agreed to play in Pakistan, are favouring BCCI now after Sunday's meet.

This could mean that Pakistan may opt out of the Asia Cup and World Cup (later this year in India) all together as Sethi earlier said they will have to boycott both the major tournaments if they are stripped of the hosting rights for the Asia Cup.

ICC senior officials visit Pakistan

While PCB has now become an isolated figure in the ACC, the board's last roll of the dice could be the two-day visit of the International Cricket Council (ICC) top brasses to Pakistan.

ICC chairman Greg Barclay and its CEO Geoff Allardice will reach Lahore on Tuesday to discuss the venues for the ODI World Cup. The final venues are expected to be announced during the World Test Championships final.

It was earlier reported that Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium will host a much-awaited India vs Pakistan match. However, PCB has shown its unwillingness to play at the venue.