Asia Cup to be held in Sri Lanka or Malaysia

Al Dhaid The much-awaited Asia Cup, involving Test- playing nations, will be held in Sri Lanka or Malaysia in June next year.

Ashraf-ul Haq, the chief executive of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), who is here to witness the ongoing ACC Twenty20 Championship and attended the inauguration of the Al Dhaid Cricket Village yesterday, told Gulf News: "The Asia Cup could be held either in Colombo or Kuala Lumpur. The ACC executive board meeting to be held on December 24 will finalise the venue."

Pakistan hosted the last edition of the Asia Cup in June 2008. Sri Lanka emerged champions beating India in the final by 100 runs. Though Colombo is in the race to stage this prestigious event, Kuala Lumpur is a strong contender.

"Kuala Lumpur successfully staged the DFL Cup involving India, Australia and West Indies. They also hosted the Commonwealth Games in which cricket was one of the events and all the Test playing countries too played in it. They have the infrastructure, capability and organisational skills but their chances will depend on the executive board. Colombo's claim too is strong because it is an established venue," added Haq.

Talking about cricket making its debut in the oncoming Asian Games in China, Haq said: "When cricket makes its debut in Asian Games it will be a huge leap for Asian cricket. Asian Games is the second biggest summer games in the world after the Olympics and to be the event is a huge achievement. Once we are part of it every country will start playing as they can get additional funding from the Olympic Council and that will be good for the improvement of the game."

Haq feels that this will also be the first step towards cricket being included in the Olympic Games. "Participation in Asian Games will lead to entry into Olympics. Till cricket is played in the Olympic Games we cannot call it as a global sport," he said.