Jalal Yunus, the cricket operations chairman of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), expressed concerns about the toll on players’ fatigue due to the hybrid model adopted for the upcoming Asia Cup. The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) made the decision to implement this hybrid format amid the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan. Consequently, the matches will be split between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

The highly anticipated tournament is set to begin on August 30, featuring the opening match between Pakistan and Nepal. Bangladesh’s first fixture against Sri Lanka will take place in Kandy on August 31, followed by their final group-stage match against Afghanistan in Lahore on September 3. This will necessitate the Tigers to endure a four-and-a-half-hour flight from Kandy to Pakistan.

Jalal acknowledged that the travel involved, moving from one country to another after playing a match, will be challenging for the players. However, he revealed that the ACC has assured the provision of chartered aircraft to ease some of the stress for teams facing such situations.

“After our first match in Kandy, we have to travel to Lahore for the second match. It was the ACC’s decision, and we have no choice but to comply. To make the journey more comfortable, the ACC will arrange chartered planes for all teams facing matches in both countries,” Jalal stated during a media interaction on Thursday.

He further emphasized that extensive travel always brings some discomfort, considering the time spent at airports, carrying luggage, and dealing with jet lag. The distance between Sri Lanka and Pakistan is significant, making it a challenging aspect of the tournament. Nevertheless, Jalal acknowledged that every team will face similar circumstances, and they need to accept the ACC’s decision and adapt accordingly.