Pakistan to host Asia Cup in 2008
Pakistan Times Sports Desk

KARACHI: The Asia Cup had been postponed for another two years as hectic international cricket schedules did not allow the biennial event to be held in Pakistan this year, the Asian Cricket Council said, reports Inp.

“It was sad that the ninth Asia Cup had to be postponed but the executive board meeting has agreed to host the event in the second week of April in 2008,” ACC chief executive Ashraful Huq told media.

The six-nation limited-overs tournament was originally scheduled to be held in February this year in Pakistan but was put off at India’s request to enable their players to rest between two important series against Pakistan and England.

Defending champions Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, the United Arab Emirates and Oman will take part in the Asia Cup 2008.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will decide the exact dates of the events soon, said Huq. Huq said the second edition of the Afro-Asia Cup will be held in Africa in June next year.

“It was Asia’s turn to host the Afro-Asia Cup and we had only one window to host the event in India and that was in September this year but India was not willing to host the event,” said Huq.

Huq said Asia’s turn to host the bi-continental event will come in September 2008.●