UAE all set to host Asia Cup 2018

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB), on Friday, signed an agreement for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to host the prestigious Asia Cup scheduled to take place in September.

Speaking on the agreement, Social, Culture and Youth Development minister Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan said it was a matter of pride for the country to host an elite cricket tournament.

"It is a matter of great pride for the UAE to host a prestigious event like the Asia Cup. Our country is home to a large section of people from the participating nations and we feel privileged and excited by the opportunity to bring their favourite sport right here to their doorstep," he said.

Thanking the ECB to host the 2018 Asia Cup on behalf of BCCI, the Indian cricket board's acting secretary Amitabh Choudhary said, "We are thankful to the Emirates Cricket Board for hosting the 2018 Asia Cup on behalf of the BCCI. We will see some of the sport's powerhouse nations go head-to-head for ultimate glory and I am confident that cricket fans around the world will enjoy every moment of this prestigious event."

The Asia Cup 2018 will see Asian powerhouses India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan squaring off against each other for the coveted triophy, while, a sixth team will take part following a qualifier event. The tournament will be held from September 15 to September 28 in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.