Asia Cup should take place in Sri Lanka: R Ashwin hits back at Javed Miandad

Veteran Indian off-spinner R Ashwin has come up with a name of South Asian nation, stating it as a possible destination to host Asia Cup 2023.

Ever since, BCCI secretary and Asia Cricket Council president Jay Shah made it clear that India will not travel to Pakistan for the continental tournament, Pakistan Cricket Board is logging head with BCCI and ACC.

After former PCB chief Ramiz Raja took head on with Mr. Shah by claiming that Pakistan will not tour India for the ODI World Cup, if the Asia Cup is taken away from Pakistan, former Pakistan cricketer Javed Miandad has staunchly criticised the BCCI.

While speaking at a public event in Pakistan, Mr. Miandad said that ‘India can go to hell if they don’t want to come to Pakistan to play cricket.’ In response, Ashwin noted that the Asia Cup should move to Sri Lanka as it would be instrumental in the lead-up to the 50-over World Cup.

“We would have seen this happen many times, right? When we say the Asia Cup won’t go to their place, they will say that they will also not come to our place. The final call might be that the Asia Cup will be moved to Sri Lanka. This is an important lead-up to the 50-over World Cup. Many tournaments have taken place in Dubai. I would also be pleased if it is moved to Sri Lanka,” Ashwin said.

Notably, Sri Lanka was the official host of the Asia Cup 2022 but due to the country’s ongoing economic crisis, the continental competition shifted to the UAE. While India was knocked out of the tournament, Pakistan qualified for the finals but only to be beaten by Sri Lanka, in the summit-clash.