Asia Cup shifted to UAE over India-Pakistan cricket row

Cricket's Asia Cup has been moved from India to the United Arab Emirates over Pakistan's refusal to cross the border, as relation simmer between the arch-rivals, the Asian Cricket Council said Tuesday. The biennial event was due to be held in India in September, sparking protest from the Pakistan Cricket Board who called for the event to be relocated. "This year's Asia Cup is moved out of India to UAE and will be held from September 13-28," Sultan Rana, the ACC development and event manager, told AFP. India has suspended bilateral cricket ties with Pakistan since the 2008 attacks in Mumbai, which New Delhi blamed on militants based across the border.

India and Pakistan set to play first match in the UAE in over 12 years in the Asia Cup in September later this year. Might well play in Dubai for the very first time. #AsiaCup2018

— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) April 10, 2018

However India has continued to square off with Pakistan in international events like the 2016 Asia Cup in Bangladesh, the World T20 at home and the 2017 Champions Trophy in England. The Asia Cup has been marred by strained Indo-Pak relation since its inception when the UAE hosted it in 1984. Two years later, India pulled out of the event in Sri Lanka, while Pakistan refused to send its team to India when it hosted the cup in 1991. With Pakistan and India unable to host, Bangladesh held three straight Asian Cups from 2012 to 2016.

Asia Cup 2018 will be played in UAE between 13-28 September. Asia cup will featute full members Sri Lanka, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Afghanistan. Sixth team out of Nepal, UAE, Hong Kong and Oman will be via play offs. #AsiaCup #Cricket

— Daniel Alexander (@daniel86cricket) April 10, 2018

Rana said six Asian teams will compete in the 50-over Asia Cup. "India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan are the five top teams while, there will be a qualifying round to select the sixth team," said Rana, a former Pakistan first class player. Meanwhile, the ACC Emerging Asia Cup was also jeopardised earlier this month when India refused to send its team to Pakistan to compete. "Emerging Cup will now be hosted jointly by Pakistan and Sri Lanka in December this year," said Rana. India will play its Emerging Cup matches in Sri Lanka.