ICC awards Asia Cup ODI status

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed that it has awarded ODI status to all matches in the upcoming Asia Cup, which will take place in Abu Dhabi and Dubai from September 15-28.

Hong Kong are the only team in the tournament without ODI status and they will play first round matches against Pakistan and India on 16 and 18 September in Dubai.

Speaking on this occasion the ICC Chief Executive David Richardson said that the decision was taken as part of the council’s policy of promoting the game.

“To grant ODI status to all matches in the Asia Cup is a positive step taken by the ICC Board as we continue to take an in-depth look at international cricket structures in relation to our long-term ambition of growing the game and adding to the one billion fans who already follow the sport,” he said. “This decision was informed by our review of the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier earlier this year where there was a mix of games with and without international status which proved to be confusing for fans.”

He further stated: "In order to simplify the situation we will extend the ICC Cricket World Cup principle of all matches being ODIs to other tournaments where a number of the teams have ODI status and some not, this includes the Asia Cup and ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifiers. The fact that these events are open to teams beyond the existing 16 teams that currently have ODI status is important and, accordingly, ensuring all matches are granted ODI status is befitting of the events and just reward for the teams that have qualified.”

Richardson also said that the comprehensive review of ODI status issue will be completed in the next months.

"Of course all T20 matches between ICC Members now have T20I status and we are in the midst of reviewing the whole issue of ODI status, which review should be completed in the next few months,” he said.

Apart from Hong Kong, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka will take part in the two-week event.