Bangladesh has been assigned to Group B in the upcoming Asia Cup 2023, a joint hosting effort by Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The tournament will feature four games in Pakistan and nine games in Sri Lanka, concluding with the final match.

This Asia Cup is seen as a crucial preparation event leading up to the ODI World Cup in India scheduled for October-November. The Chairman of Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), Jalal Yunus, expressed apprehensions about the extensive traveling involved in the hybrid format, which could take a toll on the players.

In Group B, Bangladesh will face Afghanistan and Sri Lanka. Their group stage will commence with a match against Afghanistan in Sri Lanka on August 31, followed by a second group game against Sri Lanka in Pakistan on September 3.

If they qualify for the Super 4s, their first game will be in Pakistan, with the subsequent matches held in Sri Lanka. While speaking to a sports news outlet, Yunus highlighted the potential mental stress caused by frequent air travel and early airport check-ins for the players.

Bangladesh are yet to win the Asia Cup

“If you travel, certainly there will be an impact which I feel because when you are traveling by air, you will have to go two hours earlier and carry your luggage, and preparing all these things is mentally stressful. Pakistan is far away from Sri Lanka. So there is nothing to do since it is ACC’s decision; everyone is playing like this. We also have to accept it,” Yunus said.

Despite the concerns, he acknowledged that other teams have accepted the schedule, necessitating Bangladesh’s adaptation as well. The BCB is expected to announce a preliminary squad soon and will hold a preparatory camp for the Asia Cup 2023, beginning on July 31.