BCCI wants change of schedule for India-Pakistan Asia Cup 2018 match: report

A report indicates that the BCCI is unhappy about having to play against an Asia Cup 2018 qualifier just one day before the derby against neighbours Pakistan.

cricket Updated: Jul 26, 2018 13:59 IST

HT Correspondent

Hindustan Times, New Delhi

The last time India and Pakistan played against each other was in the ICC Champions Trophy Final in 2017. (Getty Images)

When the Asia Cup 2018 fixtures were announced, there was a genuine buzz in the air as soon as Indian cricket fans found out about the India-Pakistan game on September 19.

The rivalry between India and Pakistan remains a feisty one, but political tensions between the two countries over the years means clashes between the two sides have been restricted to ICC events only.

However, a report in CricketNext indicates that the BCCI is unhappy about having to play against a qualifier just one day before the derby against neighbours Pakistan.

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“The scheduling is mindless. There appears to be zero application of mind,” a senior BCCI official said according to the CricketNext report.

“How can you accept a scenario where India plays a game today and tomorrow it will face its arch-rival Pakistan who will have a two-day period of rest?”

“This is unacceptable and has to be revisited. Maybe for the organisers it is just a money-spinning game but for us it is important that there be equity in scheduling,” the unnamed official added.

Pakistan will also play a match against a qualifier on September 16, but they will get a two-day break to rest and recuperate for the match against India.

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By contrast, India will play against a qualifier on September 18 then take to the field the very next day for what is sure to be a much tougher match and with much higher stakes against Pakistan.

Full Asia Cup schedule:

Group Stage

15 September - Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka (Dubai)

16 September - Pakistan vs Qualifier (Dubai)

17 September - Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi)

18 September - India vs Qualifier (Dubai)

19 September - India vs Pakistan (Dubai)

20 September - Bangladesh vs Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi)

Super Four

21 September - Group A Winner vs Group B Runner-up (Dubai)

21 September - Group B Winner vs Group A Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)

23 September - Group A Winner vs Group A Runner-up (Dubai)