BCCI wants change of schedule for India-Pakistan Asia Cup 2018 match: report
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)
23 September - Group B Winner vs Group B Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
25 September - Group A Winner vs Group B Winner (Dubai)
26 September - Group A Runner-up vs Group B Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
Final - 28 September (Dubai)