Asia Cup: On opening day, Rashid Khan slams scheduling as captains voice frustration — 'Not so ideal'

NEW DELHI: Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan and Sri Lanka skipper Charith Asalanka have expressed disappointment over the Asia Cup 2025 scheduling and logistical arrangements, raising concerns just hours before the tournament opener in Dubai.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Speaking at the mandatory captains’ press conference on Tuesday morning, Rashid did not mince words when asked about his team’s preparations ahead of their first match against Hong Kong in Abu Dhabi. “Well, I don’t think it’s ideal — that’s what we were discussing (with the other captains) before as well,” the Afghanistan skipper said in the presence of Asian Cricket Council chief Mohsin Naqvi.Afghanistan are based in Dubai but will travel nearly two hours to Abu Dhabi for each of their three group-stage matches. “To play in Abu Dhabi and stay here in Dubai for all three games… it’s different. But as professional cricketers, we have to accept these things,” added Rashid, the leading wicket-taker in T20I history with 170 scalps.Despite his criticism, Rashid noted that players must focus on the job at hand. “Once you enter the ground, you tend to forget everything else. In other countries, we often fly two-three hours and go straight to the game. I remember flying from Bangladesh to the US once and playing straightaway,” he said.Sri Lankan skipper Charith Asalanka, who joined the presser after his side’s gruelling back-to-back matches in Zimbabwe, was equally candid. “Right now, I’m feeling very sleepy. I should answer it tomorrow I think,” he quipped when asked about his schedule.But Asalanka’s humour quickly gave way to frustration. “No, I mean it’s really hard to play back-to-back games in Zimbabwe on September 6 and 7. And then travel here straightaway. I think actually we need to have a couple of days off. I hope the coach will give us,” he said.The Sri Lanka skipper stressed the importance of recovery in the extreme heat. “It’s important to take care of our fitness. And we all know that it’s really hot out there. And for me, it’s really important to keep fresh and give 100 per cent in the first game,” he added.Sri Lanka open their Asia Cup campaign against Bangladesh on September 13, while Rashid’s Afghanistan face Hong Kong later on Tuesday evening in Abu Dhabi.