Afghan star Rashid notes ‘unusual’ Asia Cup arrangements with caution
A trophy unveiled in Dubai, matches staged in Abu Dhabi, and captains caught in the middle. The 2025 Asia Cup's split-city start has drawn unease, although players tread carefully in voicing it.
Afghanistan leg-spin maestro Rashid Khan was the first to hint at frustration. "This is not ideal -- this is exactly what we were discussing among ourselves," he said in the Asia Cup trophy unveiling ceremony today, before quickly adding that professionals must adapt once they step onto the field.
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Beside the Afghanistan captain, his Indian counterpart Suryakumar Yadav smiled and nodded, while Bangladesh skipper Liton Das mirrored the same expression. The official launch may have been in Dubai, but the cricket will largely unfold 150 kilometres away in Abu Dhabi.
The curtain-raiser tonight, featuring Rashid's Afghanistan against Hong Kong, will also be staged there. In fact, seven of the 12 group-stage matches will be played in Abu Dhabi, including all three of Afghanistan's and Bangladesh's fixtures. Pakistan, meanwhile, will play exclusively in Dubai, which also hosts two India games, two for the UAE, and the Sri Lanka-Oman clash before the next round.
Direct criticism of organisers risks sanction, so Rashid wrapped his remarks in diplomacy:
"Your matches are in Abu Dhabi, but you are staying in Dubai. From Dubai, you will travel to Abu Dhabi to play three matches. It's unusual, but as professionals, we have to accept it. Once you're on the field, you forget everything else."
A veteran of franchise leagues worldwide, Rashid framed it as part of cricket's modern grind.
"In some countries, we fly for two or three hours and go straight into a game. I even remember flying from Bangladesh to the United States and playing immediately.
"You must be mentally strong. If you complain about travel, it affects performance. Once in the game, you give a hundred percent."
Still, the oddity lingers. The Asian Cricket Council has offered no formal explanation. Informally, one official pointed to scheduling pressures, with Sri Lanka engaged in Zimbabwe until the last moment. Their captain Charith Asalanka landed in Dubai today, rushed straight from the airport to the stadium.
Blinking through fatigue, he admitted: "I can barely keep my eyes open from sleep."
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