Not even 48 hours have passed since ICC gave millions of fans a chance to cherish the prospect of an India-Pakistan encounter after a gap of 13 months and there is a cloud of doubts gathering already with BCCI expressing displeasure over the ‘mindless’ scheduling of the Asia Cup.


As per the ICC released schedule, India is slated to face Pakistan a day after their opening match against the Qualifier, making them the only side to play successive matches in the entire tournament where six teams – India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and a Qualifier - have been divided into two groups.


“The scheduling is mindless,” a senior BCCI official told CricketNext. “There appears to be zero application of mind. 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?”


The displeasure on BCCI’s part is justifiable because of the two-day gap their arch-rivals Pakistan are getting before the big-ticket clash on September. Pakistan start off their campaign on September 16 against the same Qualifier which India will face on September 18, a day before their clash against Pakistan.


“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 official said, throwing the Asia Cup encounter between the two Asian giants into uncertainty.


Former India opener Virender Sehwag took a jibe at the ICC for the scheduling of the Asia Cup and even went to the extent of advising India to boycott the tournament.


“Which country plays back-to-back cricket matches these days? There was a gap of two days in between the T20 matches in England and here you are playing ODIs under hot Dubai weather and that too without a break.


“Don't play the Asia Cup. Prepare the team for the home series or the away series. It's really difficult to play back-to-back games,” Sehwag told a Hindi News channel.


The Asia Cup begins with the Group B clash between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka on September 15. India, Pakistan and a Qualifier – amongst UAE, Singapore, Oman, Nepal, Malaysia and Hong Kong - have been placed in Group A, while Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan comprise Group B.


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


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 - Asia Cup 2018 Final (Dubai)