Asia Cup 2018: India’s back-to-back match schedule not to change

The schedule of the upcoming Asia Cup 2018 to be played in the UAE next month has come under criticism in India for its tight schedule. The Men in Blue are set to play two consecutive matches in the tournament in two days and the second of them is against arch-rivals Pakistan. However, despite India’s reactions, it has been learnt that the controversial fixture will not be changed.

Virat Kohli’s men will play the still-undecided qualifier on September 18 and take on Pakistan the very next day at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Former Indian captain Virender Sehwag lashed out at such an itinerary which would see the Indian players slogging it out for 200 overs in back-to-back days in hot conditions of the UAE. Even the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was not happy with the schedule.

Johri confirmed the news

However, as per a report in Mumbai Mirror, the BCCI has confirmed that the schedule of the high-voltage India-Pakistan game will not change. The board’s CEO, Rahul Johri, reportedly confirmed the news.

India, six-time Asia Cup champions and the current holders, will return home after the gruelling ongoing England series on September 12 and the players will meet again in Mumbai on September 16 before flying to Dubai. They are set to take part in one practice session before starting their Asia Cup campaign.

While India, Pakistan and the qualifier are in Group A of the tournament, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan are in group B. The tournament begins on September 15 when five-time champions Sri Lanka take on two-time runners-up Bangladesh in Dubai. The final of the six-nation tournament will be held on September 28.

India and Pakistan have shared an intense rivalry in Asia Cup which started in 1984. They, however, haven’t met each other for over a year now. Their last encounter was in the final of the Champions Trophy in England in 2017 and it was Pakistan who emerged as dominant winners on that occasion.

The Asia Cup schedule also makes the second encounter between the two heavyweights highly likely in the Super Four stage unless some miracle happens.

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