Bangladesh Cricket Board is positive of having the Asia Cup as per schedule this year.
The Asia Cup is scheduled to be held in September in the lead up to the World T20I in Australia later this year.
Pakistan has the hosting rights for the tournament which is to be played in the T20 format.
The optimism from BCB has come amid uncertainty prevailing over the tournament due to the coronavirus pandemic, and on the back of Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ehsan Mani’s low hopes on having the tournament as per plan.
Mani Friday told the media of the uncertainties surrounding the Asia Cup 2020.
“I think it's good to be positive. Uncertainty prevails throughout the world. Since we have about five months in hand, that means till September, so instead of thinking about the uncertainty let's see where the situation leads us to,” said BCB CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury to the media Saturday.
Former @BCBtigers ODI captain Mashrafe bin Mortaza has been one force working against the novel coronavirus in the country, both as an influencer and as a Member of the Parliament.https://t.co/eNk8GBf4UL#BCBTIGERS #BCB #TIGERS #BANGLADESHCRICKET #BANGLADESH #CRICKET #MASHRAFE
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) April 11, 2020
“You all know that the Asia Cup is a big tournament for the Member countries. So we have to think positively about it,” Nizamuddin added.
The World T20I organizers, Australia, earlier this month said they are still looking forward to hosting the high-profile tournament later this year.
The World T20I is scheduled to be held from October 18 to November 15.
With lockdown and travel restrictions in almost all countries around the globe due to the rise in Covid-19 cases, high profile tournaments have been called off including the Indian Premier League Twenty20.
BCB in its move had postponed the national team’s tour of Ireland and also the last phase of the three-legged tour of Pakistan earlier this year.
Australia has postponed its tour of Bangladesh.
@BCBtigers ODI captain @TamimOfficial28 has joined forces with a charitable organization to raise funds and assist the underprivileged people of Bangladesh.https://t.co/mtH0PUAfcF#BCBTIGERS #BCB #TIGERS #BANGLADESH #CRICKET #BANGLADESHCRICKET #TAMIMIQBAL #TAMIM #IQBAL #COVID
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) April 11, 2020
“There's uncertainty over the Asia Cup. Nothing has been decided yet. The whole world is in an uncertain state,” Mani was quoted by The Telegraph recently.
“You don't know what it will be like in September. Don't get me wrong but it will depend on a number of factors. Mere speculation won't help. Maybe the situation will be clearer in a month's time,” the PCB chairman had said.
As of Saturday evening, 1,714,517 Covid-19 cases were reported worldwide with 103,790 deaths.
In Bangladesh, three more Covid-19 patients died as of Saturday afternoon taking the country's death toll to 30.
Besides, 58 more people contracted the novel coronavirus taking the tally of Covid-19 cases to 482.
Bangladesh has been in an unofficial lockdown his March 26 and it will continue till April 25 as per the latest decision of the government.
