Sri Lanka offers to host Asia Cup, World T20 if events pulled out of 'violence-torn' Bangladesh

Sri Lanka has reportedly offered to host the Asia Cup one-day tournament and the World Twenty20 if the two events are pulled out of violence-plagued Bangladesh.

The Asia Cup had been scheduled to be held between February 24 and March 7 in Dhaka, which has been hit by violent protests and strikes in the build-up to Sunday's general elections, and the country is also due to host the 16-nation World Twenty20 tournament, from March 16 to April 6.

According to Sport24, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) is yet to decide if the regional competition that features India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh can go ahead in Dhaka, and Sri Lanka Cricket's secretary Nishantha Ranatunga said that they are ready to host the Asia Cup and the World Twenty20 if they are asked to.

Ranatunga also said that Sri Lanka, which successfully hosted the World Twenty20 in 2012, have the grounds and the necessary infrastructure to host events like that at short notice.

The report mentioned that election-related violence in Bangladesh has claimed more than 140 lives since late October, with opposition parties boycotting the polls and organising a series of blockades across the country.