"Even a mad person would be upset" : Mashrafe Mortaza regarding fixture change in Asia Cup

[Executioner]

"What increasingly appears to be favouritism towards cricketing powerhouse India has turned the Asia Cup into a near farce. Even with two group matches left and Group A and Group B champions yet to be decided, on Wednesday morning the Asian Cricket Council has published the fixtures list of the Super Four stage starting on Friday.

That should not have been possible, because the original schedule had Super Four matches set as 'Group A winner vs Group B runners-up', 'Group A runners-up vs Group B winners' and so on. Therefore, unless group champions are determined – as they will be after Wednesday's India vs Pakistan encounter and Thursday's Bangladesh vs Afghanistan Group B match, it is not possible as per the original schedule to name the matches for the Super Four stage.

The four teams have already qualified, but each having beaten the third team in their group – Hong Kong in Group A and Sri Lanka in Group B – it all comes down to the last group matches to determine the standings and the shape of the group matches.

“It is very disappointing,” said Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortaza during training on Wednesday. Bangladesh and Afghanistan are the most disadvantaged because they will have to play on successive days in heat that exceeds 40 degrees celcius in the daytime.

“Basically what has happened is that we were made the second team in Group B even before we played the last game. It is frustrating,” Mashrafe, normally a very diplomatic speaker, told reporters while taking a much-needed breather during training at the ICC Academy in Dubai.

What increasingly appears to be favouritism towards cricketing powerhouse India has turned the Asia Cup into a near farce. Even with two group matches left and Group A and Group B champions yet to be decided, on Wednesday morning the Asian Cricket Council has published the fixtures list of the Super Four stage starting on Friday.

That should not have been possible, because the original schedule had Super Four matches set as 'Group A winner vs Group B runners-up', 'Group A runners-up vs Group B winners' and so on. Therefore, unless group champions are determined – as they will be after Wednesday's India vs Pakistan encounter and Thursday's Bangladesh vs Afghanistan Group B match, it is not possible as per the original schedule to name the matches for the Super Four stage.

The four teams have already qualified, but each having beaten the third team in their group – Hong Kong in Group A and Sri Lanka in Group B – it all comes down to the last group matches to determine the standings and the shape of the group matches.

“It is very disappointing,” said Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortaza during training on Wednesday. Bangladesh and Afghanistan are the most disadvantaged because they will have to play on successive days in heat that exceeds 40 degrees celcius in the daytime.

“Basically what has happened is that we were made the second team in Group B even before we played the last game. It is frustrating,” Mashrafe, normally a very diplomatic speaker, told reporters while taking a much-needed breather during training at the ICC Academy in Dubai."

https://www.thedailystar.net/asia-c...uld-be-upset-says-mash-fixture-change-1635946

 

[Executioner]

I don't care about favoritism to India but this is unprofessional as hell and I hope all teams withdraw from the next Asia Cup

 

[cricketindiafan]

I don't care about favoritism to India but this is unprofessional as hell and I hope all teams withdraw from the next Asia Cup

No one had a problem when India were the only team playing back to back matches in league phase? Should that be called unfair treatment to India?

As for withdrawing from next Asia Cup, do the honors now itself please . (had a giggle typing this, we were being told to withdraw and that Asia Cup can go on without us when we complained about the schedule!)

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

India playing 2 matches in 2 days is favoritism?

 

[Tyler Durden]

India is the Powerhouse of World Cricket, period. No matter how much other nation fans whine and troll, Indian Cricket is here to dictate and rule. Keep crying!

 

[Executioner]

No one had a problem when India were the only team playing back to back matches in league phase? Should that be called unfair treatment to India?

As for withdrawing from next Asia Cup, do the honors now itself please . (had a giggle typing this, we were being told to withdraw and that Asia Cup can go on without us when we complained about the schedule!)

Excuse me but Afghanistan and Bangladesh both have back to back matches.

And yes I too felt it was ridiculous to have back to back matches for any team in this heat. Be it India or UAE.

My question is why the fixture change?

 

[Executioner]

Please don't talk about Indian favouritism. That's not the issue here

The issue is why on Earth will a professional sporting body change the fixture in the dead middle of the tournament? Let India play in Dubai. Not my problem. But if you are going to give a schedule, you stick to it and make plans accordingly.

 

[Slim]

India is the Powerhouse of World Cricket, period. No matter how much other nation fans whine and troll, Indian Cricket is here to dictate and rule. Keep crying!

Blue army! YESSS! Hope to see you in other threads as well.

 

[Slim]

On a serious note this is highly unprofessional from ACC and the hosting board BCCI.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Blue army! YESSS! Hope to see you in other threads as well.

Dheere dheere josh mein aa rahe hai hamare larke.

 

[Imran Hasan]

No one had a problem when India were the only team playing back to back matches in league phase? Should that be called unfair treatment to India?

As for withdrawing from next Asia Cup, do the honors now itself please . (had a giggle typing this, we were being told to withdraw and that Asia Cup can go on without us when we complained about the schedule!)

Childish comment! It will be a problem for all team to play back to back matches in UAE. But India does not have to play important match in successive day. India rested some players against HK. India's main match will take place toady and then they have one or two days gap between nxt super four match.

 

[Slim]

Dheere dheere josh mein aa rahe hai hamare larke.

Shukar hai viru bhai. I am just sharpening my knife.

 

[Imran Hasan]

Wait a minute! I just checked the schedule of super four matches and BD have to play first super four match against India on 21st. How come they have put India and BD on 21st as Group champion and runner up have not decided yet?

 

[happydavy]

Shameless stuff from bcci...I don't care how powerful the board is, if I were an Indian cricketer, I wud be ashamed to face other cricketers after such kind of cheap stuff by bcci...

 

[cricketjoshila]

Please don't talk about Indian favouritism. That's not the issue here

The issue is why on Earth will a professional sporting body change the fixture in the dead middle of the tournament? Let India play in Dubai. Not my problem. But if you are going to give a schedule, you stick to it and make plans accordingly.

ACC led by Najam Sethi thought they would screw India by making them play 2 matches in 2 days. When Bcci showed its might they had to back down. Now the result is this mess.

 

[Oligochaetes]

Please don't talk about Indian favouritism. That's not the issue here

The issue is why on Earth will a professional sporting body change the fixture in the dead middle of the tournament? Let India play in Dubai. Not my problem. But if you are going to give a schedule, you stick to it and make plans accordingly.

As far as I know, Only location is changed, not the dates . The only change is that Bangladesh have to travel from Abu Dhabi to Dubai instead of staying in Abu Dhabi. Two super four matches happen on the same day, AFG & Ban cannot escape back to back games


can you post both the original and new schedule to make matter more clear.

 

[cricketindiafan]

Excuse me but Afghanistan and Bangladesh both have back to back matches.

And yes I too felt it was ridiculous to have back to back matches for any team in this heat. Be it India or UAE.

My question is why the fixture change?

"League Phase"

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Wait a minute! I just checked the schedule of super four matches and BD have to play first super four match against India on 21st. How come they have put India and BD on 21st as Group champion and runner up have not decided yet?

Fixed hai

 

[Executioner]

ACC led by Najam Sethi thought they would screw India by making them play 2 matches in 2 days. When Bcci showed its might they had to back down. Now the result is this mess.

They should have simply have just arranged direct semi finals. Teams would get rest. Only in cricket there are 2 round robin rounds

As far as I know, Only location is changed, not the dates . The only change is that Bangladesh have to travel from Abu Dhabi to Dubai instead of staying in Abu Dhabi. Two super four matches happen on the same day, AFG & Ban cannot escape back to back games


can you post both the original and new schedule to make matter more clear.

Being group champions meant BD or Afghanistan dont have to travel to Abu Dhabi twice in two days. Also there is a matter of who you face.

How would you feel if you are made the group runners up all of a sudden

"League Phase"

The 2nd round is also a league phase technically. And the 2nd match both teams play is of the next round which is mighty important

 

[Gotham Cronie]

Apparently, the BCCI screwed up. They admitted to making an error and not letting the teams know that Bangladesh had been labelled B2 and would remain B2.

 

[Cricfan4eva]

Excuse me but Afghanistan and Bangladesh both have back to back matches.

And yes I too felt it was ridiculous to have back to back matches for any team in this heat. Be it India or UAE.

My question is why the fixture change?

Fixture hasn't changed. Just that tomorrow's game is inconsequential now.

Had Bangla won tomorrow, they would have faced Pakistan instead of India on Friday. Now tomorrow's result doesn't matter.

Also it's not like it matters who ends up first or second in the group phase. Because all teams end up playing each other once. So not sure what is the real issue here?

Scheduling has been a problem since before the tournament started. India played twice in 2 days. Now Bangla and Afghan will.

 

[Gotham Cronie]

Fixture hasn't changed. Just that tomorrow's game is inconsequential now.

Had Bangla won tomorrow, they would have faced Pakistan instead of India on Friday. Now tomorrow's result doesn't matter.

Also it's not like it matters who ends up first or second in the group phase. Because all teams end up playing each other once. So not sure what is the real issue here?

Scheduling has been a problem since before the tournament started. India played twice in 2 days. Now Bangla and Afghan will.

It did change.

Originally it was announced that the Group B Winner will play as follows:

21 September in Abu Dhabi
23 September in Abu Dhabi
26 September in Dubai
28 September in Dubai (if they reach the final)


Note that Group B is playing in Abu Dhabi on September 20th, so that means start to finish, Bangladesh would have had to travel to Abu Dhabi only once and return only once.



It turns out that that the BCCI screwed up and didn't communicate that Bangladesh would remain B2, regardless.


Meaning their schedule is now:

Play in Abu Dhabi on September 20th
Play in Dubai on September 21st
Play in Abu Dhabi on September 23rd
Play in Abu Dhabi on September 26th
Play in Dubai on September 28th (if they reach the final)

Meaning they would have to make 4 trips now.

 

[GenericBrand]

He is rightfully peeved because not only do they play B2B but now they have to travel regardless of if they come first or second in their group

 

[light]

There should have been only one round robin round to begin with. Instead of having GA and GB, should have let all 6 fight it out. Then play the final. This schedule is beyond ridicilous. First India and now Both BD and AFG and not to mention both BD and AFG has been already labeled as B2 and B1 respectively before they took on the field on friday.

 

[JaDed]

So B2B is an issue now? Thought Deano would say no one's gonna die.

 

[Gotham Cronie]

So B2B is an issue now? Thought Deano would say no one's gonna die.

The issue is B2B + Traveling AND this being changed mid-tournament.

 

[JaDed]

The issue is B2B + Traveling AND this being changed mid-tournament.

So B2B has filters ,it should be told.in advance of 1 month?

Don't worry no one's gonna die.

 

[MMHS]

This Asia Cup fixture is utter rubbish. However had designed/approved this either is insane or has been bribed by fixers.

I understand Mash’s reaction, because now we’ll have to show up for a meaningless game may be till 1AM on Thursday night (meaningless because we are going to 2nd round as runners up regardless of result), and travel at late night to another hotel to another city then play a vital game may be within 10 hours. May be they’ll stay at their Dubai hotel but that still is extremely taxing. For IND as well playing 3 games in 4 days in such weather isn’t easy, albeit at one venue.

I posted in other thread how sick this fixture is including a IND-PAK game on mid week, two games in a day and back to back games for every team barring PAK & HK. There are 13 games and within time frame, it was possible to play all 13 games in 14 days without stressing any team and playing one 2 games on last day of super 4 (so that no team can do prior calculations).

Can anyone tell me whose fertile brain was behind this fixture?

 

[the_outsider]

The issue is B2B + Traveling AND this being changed mid-tournament.

What travelling? Dubai is just about an hour's drive away.

And India has already played B2B go fair game for others to have a go at it too.

 

[cricketjoshila]

It did change.

Originally it was announced that the Group B Winner will play as follows:

21 September in Abu Dhabi
23 September in Abu Dhabi
26 September in Dubai
28 September in Dubai (if they reach the final)


Note that Group B is playing in Abu Dhabi on September 20th, so that means start to finish, Bangladesh would have had to travel to Abu Dhabi only once and return only once.



It turns out that that the BCCI screwed up and didn't communicate that Bangladesh would remain B2, regardless.


Meaning their schedule is now:

Play in Abu Dhabi on September 20th
Play in Dubai on September 21st
Play in Abu Dhabi on September 23rd
Play in Abu Dhabi on September 26th
Play in Dubai on September 28th (if they reach the final)

Meaning they would have to make 4 trips now.

ACC makes the schedule no BCCI. Certainly Najam Sethi is the one heading that.

 

[cricketjoshila]

What travelling? Dubai is just about an hour's drive away.

And India has already played B2B go fair game for others to have a go at it too.

Is Pakistan playing any b2b games?

 

[Gotham Cronie]

ACC makes the schedule no BCCI. Certainly Najam Sethi is the one heading that.

The BCCI made the tournament's official handbook and erred while documenting it.

The Indian Board admitted that they made this mistake by omitting this information that Bangladesh would remain B2.

 

[Dios]

Why did they not have two group matches in a day instead of having two super 4 matches on the same day? Really want to meet the braindead person who drew up the fixtures.

 

[RainMan_]

What a pathetic decision to change the fixture in the middle of the series to give a particular team some advantage. A shambolic act by ACC. Bangladesh should strongly protest against this injustice and boycott the tournament.

 

[the_outsider]

What a pathetic decision to change the fixture in the middle of the series to give a particular team some advantage. A shambolic act by ACC. Bangladesh should strongly protest against this injustice and boycott the tournament.

Thank you. Come again.

 

[the_outsider]

The BCCI made the tournament's official handbook and erred while documenting it.

The Indian Board admitted that they made this mistake by omitting this information that Bangladesh would remain B2.

So the schedule is still down to Sethi and the ACC. BCCI just printed it wrong.

 

[the_outsider]

Is Pakistan playing any b2b games?

Nope. Pakistan is getting at least one rest day before every match. Only Bangladesh has to play a B2B game now.

 

[MMHS]

Nope. Pakistan is getting at least one rest day before every match. Only Bangladesh has to play a B2B game now.

I think, AFGs will play also on Thursday & Friday. And, had SRL qualified, they would have also done so. Interestingly in revised schedule, they are playing last 2 games on Tuesday & Wednesday - so, it's not about arranging both games at same time to ensure out-come remains unknown as late as possible.

Before today, I came to know from PP that first Nazam Sethi tried to screw IND with back to back games ... then BCCI punched the idea with their muscle , then I found that it's Bangladesh & AFG are screwed and IND is playing 3 games in 4 days - must be heavy punch then, though most benefited side here is PAK (BCCI must be scared with that legal threat here)

As I wrote, whoever is behind this schedule must have some vested interest - need to be investigated.

 

[RainMan_]

Thank you. Come again.

I mean, we've seen how ICC was forced not to make DRS mandatory in ICC tournaments because one particular board wasn't comfortable using it. It took quite a few years for ICC to muster up the courage to directly go against that single particular board in order to make DRS mandatory.

ACC is now doing the exact same thing to give undue favour to a particular board and changing the schedule in the middle of the tournament. What a farce.

 

[the_outsider]

I think, AFGs will play also on Thursday & Friday. And, had SRL qualified, they would have also done so. Interestingly in revised schedule, they are playing last 2 games on Tuesday & Wednesday - so, it's not about arranging both games at same time to ensure out-come remains unknown as late as possible.

Before today, I came to know from PP that first Nazam Sethi tried to screw IND with back to back games ... then BCCI punched the idea with their muscle , then I found that it's Bangladesh & AFG are screwed and IND is playing 3 games in 4 days - must be heavy punch then, though most benefited side here is PAK (BCCI must be scared with that legal threat here)

As I wrote, whoever is behind this schedule must have some vested interest - need to be investigated.

The only team with a good schedule in this tournament is Pak. If BCCI had any control over the schedule, that would not be the case and India wouldn't be playing 3 games in 4 days.

 

[the_outsider]

I mean, we've seen how ICC was forced not to make DRS mandatory in ICC tournaments because one particular board wasn't comfortable using it. It took quite a few years for ICC to muster up the courage to directly go against that single particular board in order to make DRS mandatory.

ACC is now doing the exact same thing to give undue favour to a particular board and changing the schedule in the middle of the tournament. What a farce.

The schedule doesn't help India one bit who are playing 3 games in 4 days. India had to play B2B just like Afg and Ban have to. Only Pak is benefitting from the schedule.

You just can't handle anything because you're a big crybaby.

 

[RainMan_]

How did Shethi become the head of ACC. He should immediately be kicked out of his position for his incompetency.

 

[BDfanforever]

Take it as is...it is home field advantage for India. If India was to host in India, i am pretty sure they would have easily beaten Pak, BD, AFG.

 

[dhonixi]

I feel for Bangladesh but it is all happened due to ACC headed by Nazam Sethi.

 

[Canford Cliffs]

Mashrafe is right here

 

[Rohit_Beardman]

Mashrafe the spinner is talking too much.

 

[RainMan_]

Mashrafe the spinner is talking too much.

Legendary Bangladesh captain Mashrafe has every right to talk about this pathetic scheduling amd he's pretty much to the point in his statement.

As an individual he's 10 times more mature than Mr. Clueless who once said that "Australian players r no longer my friend"

 

[Balthazar]

Childish comment! It will be a problem for all team to play back to back matches in UAE. But India does not have to play important match in successive day. India rested some players against HK. India's main match will take place toady and then they have one or two days gap between nxt super four match.

Childish comment. What if India had lost first game against Hong Kong? They would have had to play the important match the very next day. Stop crying.

 

[SamNJ]

I don't understand how can it be favouritism towards India when India are also playing back to back matches.

 

[MMHS]

Childish comment. What if India had lost first game against Hong Kong? They would have had to play the important match the very next day. Stop crying.

Won't have to

Here teams are fixed in slots - IND is A1 even if they finish 2nd in group & AFG's are B1, even if they lose tomorrow. Had HK made it instead of IND, they would have been slotted as A1, while had SRL made it instead of AFG, they would have been B1. They have pre-fixed A1, A2, B1 & B2 as per rating (IND, PAK, SRL, BD) - whoever replaces them from Group stage, regardless of points on table, occupies the slot. AFG's are replacing SRL, regardless of tomorrow's result.

This is not new actually and this gives more financial benefit, in terms of TV scheduling, ticket sales etc. I am sure 2007 T20 WC used this method (probably 2009 as well), therefore not much to complain. But, the fixture is absolute hilarious, considering that there was enough time. Now, we'll have to play 2 games in 2 Cities within 15 hours of finishing one.

I won't be surprised if couple of players are rested tmro. and these are games that's are gold mine for spot fixers - no wonder this method came back in UAE .

 

[Balthazar]

They could just cancel today's match as it's nothing but a deadrubber. Who is the head of ACC again? Cannot even come up with a proper schedule.

 

[Rohit_Beardman]

Legendary Bangladesh captain Mashrafe has every right to talk about this pathetic scheduling amd he's pretty much to the point in his statement.

As an individual he's 10 times more mature than Mr. Clueless who once said that "Australian players r no longer my friend"

Have you forgotten how Mr. Clueless ended your Captain’s career in IPL, can’t even defend 25 runs and he becomes the kaptan of Bangladesh

 

[Oligochaetes]

They should have simply have just arranged direct semi finals. Teams would get rest. Only in cricket there are 2 round robin rounds



Being group champions meant BD or Afghanistan dont have to travel to Abu Dhabi twice in two days. Also there is a matter of who you face.

How would you feel if you are made the group runners up all of a sudden



The 2nd round is also a league phase technically. And the 2nd match both teams play is of the next round which is mighty important

Oops...then you have my sympathies. This is really bad scheduling. Why can't the Indian team travel? They were roaming all over Europe while in England...lol

 

[GrandMaster]

ACC makes the schedule no BCCI. Certainly Najam Sethi is the one heading that.

This. I don't understand why PPers blame BCCI.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

What favouritism? India will play 6 matches in 10 days if we make the final. That's the worst schedule of the lot.

 

[RainMan_]

Have you forgotten how Mr. Clueless ended your Captain’s career in IPL, can’t even defend 25 runs and he becomes the kaptan of Bangladesh

Nobody cares about IPL in Bangladesh. We have our own t20 league where every Bangladeshi player earns plenty of money.

I was merely talking about the maturity level of both of these players as captains. One is a matured individual who's full of class and makes a lot of sense whenever he speaks while the other acts like an angry teenage boy both on and off the field.

 

[cricketjoshila]

I mean, we've seen how ICC was forced not to make DRS mandatory in ICC tournaments because one particular board wasn't comfortable using it. It took quite a few years for ICC to muster up the courage to directly go against that single particular board in order to make DRS mandatory.

ACC is now doing the exact same thing to give undue favour to a particular board and changing the schedule in the middle of the tournament. What a farce.

Icc didnot go againist Bcci. Changes were made to the DRS and then Bcci accepted it.

Acc should be asked why pakistan got a favourable schedule.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Nobody cares about IPL in Bangladesh. We have our own t20 league where every Bangladeshi player earns plenty of money.

I was merely talking about the maturity level of both of these players as captains. One is a matured individual who's full of class and makes a lot of sense whenever he speaks while the other acts like an angry teenage boy both on and off the field.

One is a ATG in making while the other is just another player.

Have they started paying players regularly in BPL?

 

[Rohit_Beardman]

Nobody cares about IPL in Bangladesh. We have our own t20 league where every Bangladeshi player earns plenty of money.

I was merely talking about the maturity level of both of these players as captains. One is a matured individual who's full of class and makes a lot of sense whenever he speaks while the other acts like an angry teenage boy both on and off the field.

Your league has players from Hong Kong and Ireland, who watches that apart from you

 

[BobbySharma]

So, Bangladesh are B2.. literally after today's loss to the Afghans.