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Violence-plagued Bangladesh to remain Asia Cup venue

Islamabad, Jan. 4 (ANI): Asian Cricket Council has reportedly said that Bangladesh would remain the venue for next month's Asia Cup despite rising violence in the nation due to political unrest. The council chiefs further announced the addition of Afghanistan as the fifth team in the regional one-day tournament. According to Dawn News, some observers had expected that officials would move the tournament out of Bangladesh following an outbreak of violent protests and strikes in the capital Dhaka ahead of elections scheduled on Sunday. However, Council chief executive Ashraful Huq said that the tournament will go ahead as scheduled in Bangladesh from February 25 to March 7, adding that everything is in place for the tournament. Huq further said that the Bangladesh Cricket Board had made a detailed security presentation at the executive board meeting. On addition of Afghanistan in Asia's four Test nations, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, in the 50-over tournament, Huq said that their participation will encourage them for the bigger tests ahead. Bangladesh is also due to host the World Twenty20 tournament from March 16 to April 6, the report added. (ANI)