2021 Asia Cup postponed to 2023; 2022 edition to be played in T20 format

The 2021 edition of the Asia Cup, which was supposed to be hosted by Sri Lanka, has now been postponed to 2023. The Asian Cricket Council stated the same in a press release while adding that the 2022 edition will be going ahead as it is.

"The ACC Executive Board, in face of the risks and restrictions posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, had made the difficult decision to postpone the Asia Cup 2020 to 2021. Since then, the ACC has been working with its participants and stakeholders to try and ensure that the event is held in the year. However, on account of a packed FTP, it has been concluded that there is no practical window in the year when all the teams would be available to participate. 

"The Board has accordingly considered the matter very carefully and determined that the only way ahead would be to postpone the event," ACC press release stated. "It would therefore only be feasible for this edition of the tournament to be held in 2023 as there is already an Asia Cup in 2022. Dates for the same will be confirmed in due course."

The tournament was supposed to be hosted by Pakistan but since India were unlikely to travel there due to political tension between the two nations, it was shifted to Sri Lanka. With all the teams planning for their FTPs for the next two years, the continental showpiece might only find a slot after the 2023 ICC 50-over World Cup.