Pakistan will host six matches of the upcoming Asian Emerging Nations Cup in December after the BCCI’s refusal to send the Indian team to the country over security concerns.
The tournament had been shrouded in uncertainty after the BCCI’s continual refusal to play ball with Pakistan but is now set to get underway on December 6.
India, instead, will play all its matches in Sri Lanka instead which will feature the best emerging talents from Asia. The final of the tournament is slated to be held in Colombo.
For the Pakistan leg of the tournament, the National Stadium in Karachi will play host to the matches despite it currently undergoing major renovation work.
“A proper security plan has been prepared for the visiting teams and they will be given top security throughout their stay in Karachi from December 4 to 10,” a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official told PTI.
Sri Lanka, India, Afghanistan and qualifier Oman have been placed in Group A of the tournament and will play their matches in Colombo. Pakistan, Bangladesh, Hong Kong and the UAE, on the other hand, are clubbed in Group A and will play their respective matches in Karachi.
The four full member nations – India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan – will be sending their U23 squads for the tournament with each team allowed to field four players above the age of 23. The associate nations, meanwhile, will be allowed to send their senior squads for the tournament.
