Bangladesh Cricket Board raises concerns over Asia Cup travel

Bangladesh is placed in Group B for the upcoming Asia Cup, which is set to be hosted jointly by Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

The tournament will have four games in Pakistan and nine games in Sri Lanka, including the final. This Asia Cup will serve as a preparation event ahead of the ODI World Cup scheduled for October-November in India.

The cricket operation chairman of Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB Jalal Yunus, has expressed concerns about the potential toll on players due to excessive traveling as a part of the hybrid format of the tournament.

Bangladesh is grouped with Afghanistan and Sri Lanka in Group B. They will start their group stage by facing Afghanistan in Sri Lanka on August 31 and then travel to Pakistan to play their second group game against Sri Lanka on September 3.

If Bangladesh qualifies for the Super 4s, their first game will be in Pakistan, and subsequently, all their matches will be held in Sri Lanka.

While talking to a sports news outlet, Yunus stated that traveling by air and reaching airports two hours before flights could mentally stress the players. However, he acknowledged that since other teams have accepted the schedule, Bangladesh will have to adapt as well.

"If you travel, certainly there will be an impact which I feel because when you are traveling by air, you will have to go two hours earlier and carry your luggage, and preparing all these things is mentally stressful. Pakistan is far away from Sri Lanka. So there is nothing to do since it is ACC's decision; everyone is playing like this. We also have to accept it," Yunus said.

The BCB is expected to announce a preliminary squad soon and will hold a preparatory camp for the Asia Cup starting on July 31.