The highly anticipated Asia Cup, slated to be jointly hosted by Pakistan and Sri Lanka, is set to serve as a crucial dress rehearsal for the forthcoming ODI World Cup in India. However, the tournament’s hybrid model, with matches split between the two countries, has sparked concerns among some cricket officials. Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) cricket operation chairman, Jalal Yunus, has raised the alarm over the toll the extensive travel could take on the players’ physical and mental well-being.
The Asia Cup, set to feature some of the top cricketing nations in Asia, will comprise four games in Pakistan and nine games in Sri Lanka, culminating in the grand summit clash. As part of Group B, Bangladesh finds themselves alongside Afghanistan and hosts Sri Lanka. Their opening group-stage encounter against Dasun Shanaka’s men is scheduled in Sri Lanka on August 31. Following this, they will travel to Pakistan for their second group game against Afghanistan on September 3. If Bangladesh qualifies for the Super 4s, all their subsequent matches will be held in Sri Lanka.
Jalal Yunus, BCB’s cricket operation chairman, has expressed apprehensions about the impact of excessive travelling on the players’ performance and well-being. Acknowledging that the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has arranged for chartered flights to ease the journey, Yunus highlighted the mental stress associated with traveling by air and the need to arrive at airports hours in advance. He also emphasized that the considerable distance between Pakistan and Sri Lanka adds to the challenge.
While voicing concerns over the travel schedule, Yunus acknowledged that, given the ACC’s decision and other teams’ acceptance of the arrangement, Bangladesh will have to adapt and prepare accordingly. The BCB is expected to announce a preliminary squad soon, initiating preparations for the impending Asia Cup. A preparatory camp is set to commence on July 31, allowing the team to acclimate to the conditions and strategize for the upcoming tournament.
