EKUSH TAPADER from Dubai

Some light-hearted chatter accompanied the Asia Cup 2025 trophy unveiling in Dubai on Tuesday. Yet, beneath the smiles, the players’ expressions revealed a lingering concern: travel fatigue, which could be an additional hurdle in the 17th edition of the continental tournament.

“I feel very sleepy right now.” Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka’s candid admission, tinged with exhaustion, drew laughter from the captains of the other seven teams around him. Stifling a yawn, he laughed too, while India’s Suryakumar Yadav and Bangladesh’s Litton Das smiled in sympathy.

Having landed in Dubai earlier that day, Asalanka went straight to the venue. His words carried a clear plea for rest: “We just played two consecutive days in Zimbabwe before flying straight here. We need two days of rest. Hopefully, the coach will allow that.”

Asalanka’s weary tone captured how the Asia Cup is squeezed into an already packed calendar.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan voiced his own frustration. Traveling 150 kilometers from Dubai to Abu Dhabi just hours after the ceremony to play Hong Kong in the opening match, he said, “was far from ideal.”

Not every team, however, faces the same burden. Bangladesh and Pakistan can consider themselves fortunate. While most sides will shuttle between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, these two will remain in one base. Bangladesh will play all their group-stage matches in Abu Dhabi, while Pakistan, stationed in Dubai, will play all theirs there.

Back in 2018, despite enduring the Dubai-Abu Dhabi commute, Bangladesh made it to the final in the 2018 edition. Compared to which, Litton and Co can count this as a blessing -- especially having arrived in the UAE on the back of some positive results as well.

Litton, who scored a century in that 2018 final against India but walked away heartbroken, spoke with determination this time: “We still haven’t tasted a championship -- but that’s history, and history is meant to be broken.”

Afghanistan’s challenge looks tougher. Although all three of their group games are in Abu Dhabi, the team is based in Dubai, meaning a 300-kilometer round trip each time. Rashid summed it up: “You’ll have to travel back and forth for three games. It’s unusual, but as a professional cricketer, you have to accept it.”

Of the eight teams, only Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Oman are based in Abu Dhabi. Even then, Sri Lanka and Oman must travel to Dubai for one group game each.

As in many editions, the Asia Cup is shaped by its most anticipated fixture: India versus Pakistan. The rivalry, further inflamed by recent conflict in Pahalgam, remains a platform for drawing fans’ attention while generating substantial revenue.

That tension also echoed in the captains’ words.

India’s Suryakumar was emphatic: “Whenever we step onto the field, we always carry an aggressive mindset. Without aggression, you can’t play cricket. I’m raring to go from tomorrow [Wednesday].”

Pakistan captain Salman Agha struck a similar note: “Each player has a different mindset. Some are naturally aggressive. You can’t stop them. If someone shows aggression on the field, we’ll welcome it. From my side, there will be no restrictions.”

As the Asia Cup 2025 begins, the hope is that the on-field battles overshadow off-field concerns, delivering a tournament rich with exciting cricket while overcoming visible fatigue and political tension.

“There’s no sense of urgency. We’ve played very good cricket in the recent past and had quite a long camp. I think we’re well prepared for the Asia Cup. All the teams are strong, and it will be challenging, but we’re eager to take that challenge and give our hundred percent.”

Bangladesh captain

Litton Das