Mohan de Silva, secretory of Sri Lanka Cricket was sure that the country missed a huge lump if US $ 6 million after SLC denied to host the Asia Cup 2022. Asian Cricket Council initially asked SL to host it. But due to unavoidable ongoing economical and political chaos, ACC shifted it to UAE.
However, UAE, thus will be conducting the Asia Cup for the second consecutive time, after 2018. The 15th edition of the tournament will commence from 27th August. The final will played on September 11th. Sri Lanka itself will pull the curtain by playing the first match against Afghanistan. The Dubai International Cricket Stadium will conduct the match.
Sri Lanka could have made money: Mohan de Silva
SLC Secretary Mohan estimated a certain amount Sri Lanka would have gained unless stakeholders denied to host the cup. Mohan said,
“Sri Lanka will still receive the US $ 2.5 million hosting fee, 1.5 million ticket sale fees and 2 million fee due to every participating team.”
He added,
“But this was solely because the stakeholders doubts due to the prevailing unrest in the country. Had we hosted it Sri Lanka’s economy would have definitely been boosted centred around a tourism build up and upped the country image.”
Presently, Sri Lanka is facing the worst-ever financial crisis since their independence. For the last few months, the world saw Lankans protesting against the ruling government. Even some of their world class cricketers like Sanath Jayasuriya, Mahela Jayawardene, and Kumar Sangakkara have chose to speak out. They expressed their views on their individual social media platforms.
However, there will be certain changes in Asia Cup 2022. Keeping the upcoming T-20 World cup, the Asia Cup be held in the T20I format too. Well this is not the first time. Fans witnessed the tournament in this formal in the 2016 edition . India won that season.
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