Bangladesh, Pakistan not happy with India-favouring schedule of Asia Cup's Super 4 stage

As it appears, none of the qualifying sides except India had the prior of their labeling – Bangladesh as B2, Afghanistan as B1, India as A1 and Pakistan as A2 – even before their final standing was confirmed in the group stages.

Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza joined his Pakistani counterpart Sarfraz Ahmed in expressing his displeasures over the baffling scheduling of the 14th edition of Asia Cup in UAE.

Mortaza was irked because Bangladesh were not informed about the last-minute change in schedule which treated them as B2 irrespective of the outcome of their last league match against Afghanistan.

As it appears, none of the qualifying sides except India had the prior knowledge of their labelling – Bangladesh as B2, Afghanistan as B1, India as A1 and Pakistan as A2 – even before their final standing was confirmed in the group stages.

The current scheduling means Bangladesh will have to play two back to back matches in two different cities. The first being a group match against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi and the second one, a super four match against India in Dubai on September 21.

"We came here with a plan. We would play Sri Lanka first and if we won and played well [against Afghanistan], we would be group champions and play the runners-up of Group A. But this morning we heard that we are already Group B runners-up regardless of whether we win or lose. So, of course, it is disappointing."

The Asia Cup 2018 schedule

DATE	MATCH	VENUE
September 21, 2018	1. India vs Bangladesh 2. Pakistan vs Afghanistan	1. Dubai International Stadium 2. Abu Dhabi
September 23, 2018	1. India vs Pakistan 2. Afghanistan vs Bangladesh	1. Dubai International Stadium 2. Abu Dhabi
September 25, 2018	India vs Afghanistan	Dubai International Stadium
September 26, 2018	Pakistan vs Bangladesh	Dubai International Stadium
September 28, 2018	The final	Dubai International Stadium

Reports suggest that the scheduling gaffe happened because of BCCI as India were the original hosts of the Asia Cup 2018. The Indian board, which is the official host of this edition of the Asia Cup, admitted to an error of omission in not mentioning that Bangladesh were B2 and so on.

A day before their match against India, Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed termed the Asia Cup scheduling as unfair pointing at India’s all matches being in Dubai. India is the only side who will play all their matches in the same venue.

"If you look at the schedule, even if India lose pool match, they still play in Dubai. Travelling is an issue. If you have to travel 90 minutes and then play matches with a gap of a single day, then it is challenging.

"I believe it should have been the same for all the teams, irrespective of whether it is India or Pakistan. I don't know what was Asian Cricket Council's thought behind this. I think PCB is looking into the matter," said Sarfraz.