Too Much Travelling Will Impact Asia Cup, Says BCB
On Thursday, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) candidly admitted that too much travelling will impact the upcoming Asia Cup. The tournament, set to be played in a hybrid model, poses a unique challenge for Bangladesh as they find themselves placed in Group B and scheduled to play their group stage matches in two different countries, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
According to the itinerary, Bangladesh’s campaign kicks off with their first Group B match against Sri Lanka on August 31. Subsequently, they will have to swiftly travel to Pakistan for their second group match against Afghanistan on September 3. Should they progress to the Super Four stage, the team will again face the inconvenience of traveling back to Sri Lanka to play the remaining two matches in this round. And if they manage to secure a spot in the final, that too will be held in Sri Lanka.
BCB cricket operation chairman, Jalal Yunus, acknowledged the challenge at a press conference held at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium. “Yes, we have to go to Lahore to play the first match. There are two matches in the first round, one in Sri Lanka and the other one is in Pakistan. We have to go as we can do nothing actually,” he stated.
In an effort to alleviate some of the traveling strain, the Asia Cup authorities (ACC) have arranged for teams to travel in chartered flights. BCB has confirmed that they will be availing of this option to ensure the comfort of their players during the journey. Yunus emphasized the importance of quality air travel for the team, stating, “Of course, we would like to travel by a quality airline, if that is a national airline or a chartered plane definitely that would be good for everyone.”
However, despite the ACC’s decision, it is evident that the extensive traveling will have its toll on the players’ mental and physical well-being. Yunus highlighted the logistical challenges that come with long flights, such as arriving at airports earlier, managing luggage, and the general stress involved. Moreover, the vast distance between Pakistan and Sri Lanka adds to the complexity of the situation.
The decision on star opener Tamim Iqbal’s availability for the Asia Cup is also hanging in the balance. Tamim, who had recently announced his retirement only to reverse it later at the request of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, is currently on a much-needed one-and-a-half-month break. Dealing with back issues, Tamim is expected to seek medical advice in England before returning home to consult with the board about his future course of action.
Jalal Yunus shed light on Tamim’s situation, stating, “Tamim will be going to London on the 26th. After his treatment there, a decision will be taken based on his condition. His plan is to return to the country by the 31st. The decision going forward will be dependent on his physical condition.”
The BCB is gearing up to announce a preliminary squad of 28 to 30 players for the Asia Cup. The squad will undergo a preparation camp starting from July 31 in preparation for the highly anticipated tournament.
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