Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has said that it would not have been possibly for the Asia Cup to be played in the United Arab Emirates. Pakistan Cricket Board who were originally scheduled to host the tournament had to wrestle with the Board of Control for Cricket in India over the venues. BCCI made it clear that they would not be travelling to Pakistan and advised to relocate matches.
Pakistan then shared the hosting rights with Sri Lanka, where half the tournament is being held, including the final match. There were criticism from fans in social media that the match could have been held in the United Arab Emirates. Shastri was quick to shut down the idea and said that the players would not have been able to cope with the heat in Dubai.
Speaking on Star Sports ahead of the resumption of India vs Pakistan match on reserve day, Shastri said that the circumstances were unforeseen and nothing could be done.
“If you actually see at this moment in time, there is rain everywhere. You know, there was talk about that it could have been played in Dubai. Dubai is so hot for a 50-over game, these players would have been finished. It’s unforeseen circumstances, it’s a calamity that can happen naturally. You look at Bangladesh, northern India, Mumbai, coastline of India there is rain everywhere,” Ravi Shastri said on Star Sports.
Former Pakistan pacer Wasim Akram was of the same view and said that there was no point criticising as the decisions about venues had already been made. There was a request from the PCB to shift the Super 4 matches to Hambantota, but the BCCI once again reportedly rejected the suggestion.
“I know it’s frustrating for the players and the fans back home in India, Pakistan and worldwide as well but this thing you cannot control. A lot of people are criticising a lot of people regarding the Asia Cup but this decision has been made. There is no point criticising now, nothing can happen. A lot of people say it should have been played in Pakistan. We can discuss this topic but it’s not our job,” Akram stated.
