Sunday, January 05, 2014
Kabul (BNA) The Afghanistan national cricket team has been added as the fifth team in the regional Asia Cup tournament, which is scheduled to begin next month in Bangladesh.
The Asian Cricket Council chief executive, Asharaf-ul-Haq said, “The tournament will go ahead as scheduled in Bangladesh from February 25 to March 7”.
Mr. Haq further added, “Everything is in place for the tournament, on one raise any issue about safety.”
This comes as some of the observers had earlier expected that tournament would be mover out of Bangladesh, citing security concerns following an outbreak of violent protests and strikes in the capital Dhaka ahead of elections Sunday.
However, Mr. Haq said the Bangladesh Cricket board had made a detailed security presentation at the meeting.
All 11 matches are expected to take place in the capital city Dhaka as planned, despite the violence that has plagued the city in the build-up to Sunday’s general elections.
According to Ashraf-ul-Haq, Afghanistan will join Asia’s four Test nations, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, in the 50 overs tournament.
“This is a big step forward for Afghanistan, Haq said adding that, “Their participation in the Asia Cup will encourage them for the bigger tests ahead.”
