Bangladesh likely to skip Asia Cup

Bangladesh might not feature in the Asia Cup one-day tournament planned next year in Malaysia due to prior international commitments.

According to media reports, Bangladesh Cricket Board officials have made it clear to the Asian Cricket Council that their team can't play the Asia Cup between March and May next year.

"Bangladesh is due to host England [ Images ] for a series in March and April and then fly to England in early May for a tour. And the English cricket board is unwilling to revise their schedule as they themselves have a packed season as they are also hosting Pakistan," a Pakistan Cricket Board source told PTI.

He said the matter had been brought up by the Bangladesh Board in Johannesburg where the Asia Cup preparations were discussed.

The ACC wants to hold the Asia Cup sometime in April-May next year in Malaysia due to the weather conditions there.

The source said there were chances that eventually Bangladesh might not feature in the 2010 Asia Cup and it could be limited to Pakistan, India [ Images ] and Sri Lanka [ Images ].

"As it is there is no other time slot available next year to host the Asia Cup and if it can't be held next year the ACC would lose out on earnings from sale of television rights and sponsorship rights to broadcasters," the source said.