Rashid Khan slams Asia Cup 2025 scheduling: 'Don’t think it’s ideal..to play in Abu Dhabi and stay in Dubai...': Rashid Khan questions Asia Cup 2025 scheduling ahead of Afghanistan's opener clash vs Hong Kong

Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan questioned the Asia Cricket Council's management for the Asia Cup 2025. He bluntly said that staying in Dubai and travelling for nearly two hours one way to Abu Dhabi on every match day is not “ideal” scheduling for his team in the mega event.

Rashid was there in Dubai hours before the tournament opener alongside all captains to address the media ahead of the mega event. Afghanistan will take on Hong Kong for the tournament opener, which is scheduled to take place at Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

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“Well, I don’t think it’s ideal - that’s what we were discussing [with the other captains] before as well,” Rashid said during the mandatory Asia Cup press conference.

“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," said the highest wicket-taker in T20I history.

But Rashid, who has 170 T20I wickets, also said that as a professional, he has to forget the scheduling and focus on the game.

“Once you enter the ground, you tend to forget everything else. In other countries, we often fly two to two-three hours and go straight to the game. I remember flying from Bangladesh to the US once and playing straight away."

Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka also joined Rashid for the scheduling of the event, which has left very little time for his team to relax and recuperate after an away series against Zimbabwe.

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“Right now, I'm feeling very sleepy. I should answer it tomorrow I think,” Asalanka said when he was asked about playing so many games with virtually no turnaround time.

“No, I mean it's really hard to play back-to-back games in Zimbabwe on September 6 and 7. And then travel here (Dubai) straightaway. I think actually we need to have a couple of days off. I hope the coach will give us.

“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% in the first game," Asalanka said.

The eight-team continental tournament will take place in UAE, Abu Dhabi and Dubai will host the matches of the mega event.