The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially transferred the hosting rights of the forthcoming Asia Cup to the Emirates Cricket Board. The 14th edition of the Asia Cup will be held in UAE from September 15 to 28.
“The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Emirates Cricket Board signed an agreement today for the United Arab Emirates to host the 2018 edition of the Asia Cup,” the BCCI stated in a press release.
The agreement was signed in Dubai with the BCCI being represented by its acting secretary Amitabh Chaudhary and chief executive Rahul Johri.
“We are thankful to the Emirates Cricket Board for hosting the 2018 Asia Cup on behalf of the BCCI. We will see some of the sport’s powerhouse nations go head-to-head for ultimate glory. And I am confident that cricket fans around the world will enjoy every moment of this prestigious event,” Chaudhary said.
On behalf of the UAE, Emirates Cricket Board chairman and his highness Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan signed the deal.
"It is a matter of great pride for the UAE to host a prestigious event like the Asia Cup. Our country is home to a large section of people from the participating nations and we feel privileged and excited by the opportunity to bring their favourite sport right here to their doorstep. This is the biggest cricketing event to be held in the UAE and we will ensure every support to make the 2018 Asia Cup a huge success," Sheikh Nahyan stated.
It is worth mentioning here that India were slated to host the 2018 Asia Cup. However, the ongoing political tensions between the Indian and Pakistan led to the shifting of the tournament. After a series of meetings, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) finally decided that UAE will host the tournament on BCCI’s behalf.
The 2018 Asia Cup will see six teams being divided into two groups. The winner of the Asia Cup qualifier will be joining India and Pakistan in Group A while the Group B comprised of Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
Asia Cup 2018 schedule:
Group Stage
15 September - Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka (Dubai)
16 September - Pakistan vs Qualifier (Dubai)
17 September - Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi)
18 September - India vs Qualifier (Dubai)
19 September - India vs Pakistan (Dubai)
20 September - Bangladesh vs Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi)
Super Four
21 September - Group A Winner vs Group B Runner-up (Dubai)
21 September - Group B Winner vs Group A Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
23 September - Group A Winner vs Group A Runner-up (Dubai)
23 September - Group B Winner vs Group B Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
25 September - Group A Winner vs Group B Winner (Dubai)
26 September - Group A Runner-up vs Group B Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
Final - 28 September (Dubai)
(With PTI inputs)
