UAE replaces Sri Lanka as host venue for 2022 Asia Cup

The UAE has stepped in to replace Sri Lanka as the location for the 2022 Asia Cup, starting next month, due to the ongoing political and economic crisis in the island nation, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) said.

Sri Lanka will remain hosts for the nine-team tournament, which will be played between August 27 and September 11 and serve as preparation for the Asian sides in the lead-up to the Twenty20 World Cup later this year.

The country of 22 million people has been crippled by an economic crisis, with shortages of fuel, food and other necessities. The Sri Lankan parliament on Wednesday approved the extension of a state of emergency for a month.

Shammi Silva, the president of Sri Lanka's cricket board (SLC) said they "fully stand by the ACC's decision" to relocate the tournament.

"Every effort was made to host the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka and the decision to shift the venue to the UAE was taken after much deliberation," ACC president Jay Shah said in a statement.

"The UAE will be the new venue while Sri Lanka will continue to retain hosting rights. This edition of the Asia Cup is extremely important as it will help Asian nations prepare for the ICC World Cup."

The UAE has frequently stepped in to host other Asian cricket teams and tournaments during times of crisis and turmoil.

The Emirates became the home of the Pakistan national team for almost 10 years after the 2009 terror attack on the Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore meant Pakistan were exiled from hosting international cricket, while the first two editions of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) were held in the UAE.

Yuzvendra Chahal, centre, of India celebrates after taking the wicket of Imrul Kayes in the Asia Cup final in Dubai in 2018. India beat Bangladesh in the final,