Monday, 6 January 2014 00:00
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Sri Lanka has offered to host this year’s Asia Cup and the World Twenty20 as an alternative to Bangladesh, the scheduled hosts.
Bangladesh’s right to host both events is in danger following violence caused by political strikes and blockades in the country. In December, the West Indies Under-19 team pulled out of their tour and returned home after an explosion near the team hotel in Chittagong.
As a result, there is some early anxiety over the year’s first international fixture in the country, a bilateral series against Sri Lanka this month, which starts on January 27. The Asia Cup is to be held between February 24 and March 7, with the World T20 starting nine days later.
Sri Lanka Cricket said that while it is ready to host the two events at short notice, their own tour to Bangladesh hinges on security advice.
“We are ready to host the Asia Cup if the ACC wants another venue,” SLC secretary Nishantha Ranatunga told AFP. “We have the grounds and the necessary infrastructure to host an event like that at short notice. We are also ready to host the World Twenty20 if we are asked.”
An Asian Cricket Council (ACC) meeting in Colombo on Saturday will discuss the security situation in Bangladesh, with the BCB having prepared a detailed security report for the regional body.The Pakistan Cricket Board, meanwhile, has also said it will seek its government’s directive regarding a trip to Bangladesh, after a protest group tried to march towards the Pakistan High Commission late last month.
