Pakistan to host Asia Cup

Ashraful Haq confirmed that Pakistan would host the cup

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The Asian Cricket Council has confirmed Pakistan will host this year’s Asia Cup.

ACC officials met Pakistan Cricket Board bosses on Thursday and decided to hold the tournament in Lahore and Karachi from June 25 to July 6.

It will be hoped the decision will seek to dispel security fears, which led Cricket Australia to postpone their tour to the country and which have been raised over Pakistan’s hosting of the ICC Champions Trophy in September.

Sri Lanka will be the alternate venue for the event should the PCB decide against hosting it.

ACC chief executive Ashraful Huq said: “All the participating countries have given us the green light and they are ready to play in Pakistan, setting aside any security concerns.

“Therefore, the ACC is delighted to announce that Pakistan will hold the Asia Cup.”

PCB chairman Nasim Ashraf said Lahore and Karachi will host all the tournament matches.

India, Pakistan and Hong Kong have been drawn together in Group A while Group B comprises Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and United Arab Emirates.