The political game of cricket has thrown the Asia Cup tournament into uncertainty, as a result of which the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) may face a financial loss of more than Rs 8.8 billion.

A crucial meeting of the Asian Cricket Council has been convened in Dhaka on Thursday under the chairmanship of Chairman Mohsin Naqvi to decide the future of the Asia Cup cricket tournament. Important decisions regarding the holding or cancellation of the Asia Cup will be taken in this meeting.

According to sources, if the Asia Cup is canceled, the Pakistan Cricket Board may have to bear a financial loss of about Rs 8.8 billion. In the event of a decrease in income from the Asia Cup alone, a loss of Rs 1.16 billion is expected, while the PCB had allocated $ 25.9 million (about Rs 7.5 billion) from the ICC share for its annual activities, which is now at risk.

The alleged role of India behind this controversy is under discussion, which is being accused of trying to sabotage the Asia Cup. According to reports, India has joined hands with Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Oman to oppose the holding of the Asia Cup, with the aim of weakening PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi’s leadership in the ACC.

India has raised objections not only to the Asia Cup but also to the venue of the ACC meeting in Dhaka. The Indian board, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Oman and a few other associate member countries have refused to travel to Dhaka, while India is neither willing to send its representative nor wants to participate in the meeting through video link.

According to Indian media reports, India is also considering a complete boycott of the meeting, which has further increased the risk of cancellation of the Asia Cup.