Having or not having the Asia Cup is not a decision between Pakistan and India: Ehsan Mani

Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 has been postponed for an indefinite period after the Indian government announced lockdown until May 3. Meanwhile, there are reports that BCCI is looking for a window to organize the cash-rich league. Also, they are waiting for the Asia Cup 2020 schedule and if that tournament gets postponed, BCCI might look to slot in the IPL in September.

But, Ehsan Mani, the PCB chief looks in favour of staging the Asia Cup and feels that it is important for the development of Asian cricket. Earlier, IPL 2020 was scheduled to begin from 29th of March. However, BCCI was forced to postpone the tournament to mid-April following the first lockdown in the country.

On April 14, Narendra Modi announced that the lockdown will be further extended to May 3 due to which IPL 2020 was dented with a major blow. But, BCCI is still hopeful that they might get a window in the latter part of the year when they can go ahead with the T20 tournament.

Ehsan Mani is pretty clear over Asia Cup 2020

Ehsan Mani, the PCB chief said that he has heard the news and reports of BCCI looking for some other window to organize the IPL. However, he clarified the fact that having the Asia Cup is not a decision in the hands of India and Pakistan as other countries are also involved in it.

“I have read and heard about these speculations but right now just remember that having or not having the Asia Cup is not a decision between Pakistan and India it involves other countries as well,” Ehsan Mani said in a podcast released by the PCB.

The 75-year-old recited that if cricket activities resume in the upcoming months then it is really important to go ahead with Asia Cup and it helps in the development of cricket in Asian countries depends on the funds raised by the tournament. Nobody can deny the importance of the Asia Cup for the countries, who are the member of ASC (Asian Cricket Council).

“It is important to have the Asia Cup if cricket activities resume by then because development of Asian cricket depends on funding from the tournament. It is important for many countries who are members of the Asian Cricket Council,” he added in a podcast released by the PCB. But, we don’t know if it can be held or not,” Ehsan Mani added.