Asia Cup 2018: BCCI reveals why India are playing all their matches in Dubai

What’s the story?

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has hit back at the ongoing controversy regarding the scheduling the Super-Four fixtures of the Asia Cup. As per the reports of The Mirror, an official linked with the BCCI stated, “The scheduling wasn’t done overnight.”

The official added, “Approvals from CEOs had been taken, which the Asian captains aren’t aware of. It’s conveniently forgotten that the Asia Cup was scheduled in India, but we had to play the tournament in Dubai owing to Pakistan. Everybody has to make adjustments.” 

The scheduling of the Super-Four fixtures had come under severe scrutiny after both Pakistan Bangladesh skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed and Mashrafee Mortaza respectively had alleged that the scheduling favored India.

While Sarfaraz emphasized that the prepared itinerary posed an unfair advantage to India and that the PCB might even take this issue to the International Cricket Council, Bangladesh skipper Mashrafee Mortaza expressed his disappointment at the schedule.

India matches- a huge money-spinner

That matches involving India is a massive money-spinner is a no-brainer, and with the Asia Cu attracting poor crowds in Abu Dhabi, the official admitted that the reason behind slotting all the matches involving the Men in Blue that Dubai is the best place to maximize ticket sales.

“It’s a no-brainer that Dubai is the place to maximize ticket sales. And India matches are huge money-spinners. There are 24 corporate boxes here. Whatever people think, revenue matters. How will the Asian Cricket Council fund for the development of upcoming teams such as Afghanistan and Hong Kong?”

In case you don’t know…

As per the schedule announced by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), India will play all their Super-Four matches in Dubai while the remaining teams will play back-to-back matches in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Bangladesh, who are currently playing against Afghanistan at Abu Dhabi in the last Group-B match, will head to Dubai tomorrow to lock horns with defending champions India at the Dubai International Stadium.