Next Asia Cup to be played in United Arab Emirates, India and Pakistan to participate, says BCCI president Sourav Ganguly

Kolkata: BCCI president Sourav Ganguly on Friday said the next Asia Cup will be held in Dubai, paving the way for both India and Pakistan to participate in the continental tournament.

File image of BCCI president Sourav Ganguly. AP

Pakistan was the designated hosts for the tournament scheduled for September, but with the BCCI making it clear that the Indian team would not be able to travel to the neighbouring country owing to security concerns, the event has been moved to Dubai.

"Asia Cup will be held in Dubai and both India and Pakistan will play," Ganguly told reporters at the Eden Gardens before leaving for Dubai for the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) meeting, to be held on 3 March.

Earlier, the BCCI had said they have no problem with Pakistan hosting the tournament, provided it is held at a neutral venue.

India and Pakistan have not played a bilateral series since 2012-13 when Pakistan visited the country for a limited-overs series.

Due to the ongoing political tensions between the two countries, India and Pakistan have only met in major ICC competitions since early 2013.

The BCCI president also congratulated the Harmanpreet Kaur-led Indian team for making the Women's T20 World Cup semi-final with a three-run win over New Zealand in Melbourne.

"They are playing some fantastic cricket and have qualified. Nobody is favourites in a world tournament. They are a good side, let's see where they finish," Ganguly said of the women's cricket team that won three matches in a row to seal a last-four berth.

The former India captain backed Virat Kohli's side to bounce back from the Basin Reverse debacle and level the two-match Test series in New Zealand.

"They have come back before. I'm sure they will bounce back again. There's still one Test remaining," Ganguly said.

He refused to comment on Bengal's Ranji Trophy semi-final against Karnataka, starting on Saturday.

Bengal, who lost to Delhi in their last semi-final appearance two seasons ago, are aiming to make their first Ranji Trophy final since 2006-07.

"It's two different generations.. Fingers crossed, we will talk after five days. It depends on who plays well. I don't want to talk about it now," Ganguly said.