IND vs PAK: "It's Too Much Travel" - Shadab Khan On Big Challenge For Pakistan In Asia Cup 2023

Pakistan National Cricket Team premier all-rounder Shadab Khan has opened up on a massive challenge for his side in the Asia Cup 2023, saying that they have to travel a lot during the tournament.

Asia Cup 2023 will be played in the One Day International (ODI) format. The continental tournament will commence on Wednesday, August 30, and will end on Sunday, September 17.

Pakistan will begin their Asia Cup campaign against Nepal in Multan on August 30 and they will next take on arch-rivals India on September 2 in Pallekele. The competition will consist of 13 matches, with Pakistan hosting 4 and Sri Lanka hosting the rest of the 9 matches.

After the whitewash over Afghanistan in the three-match ODI series in Sri Lanka, Shadab Khan was asked about the excessive traveling in the Asia Cup 2023. The 24-year-old said:

“See, it can make or not make an impact. We haven’t traveled yet. We definitely feel it’s a lot of travel. But we will try to keep ourselves hydrated, it’s very difficult in this weather — especially for our fast bowlers.”

Hopefully, there are no injuries because the schedule is quite hectic – Shadab Khan

Shadab Khan further said that they have to travel a lot and it’s quite difficult for the players. He was also hopeful of Pakistan players remaining injury-free as the schedule for the upcoming few months is quite hectic.

“It’s too much travel. See, our series has just ended, and we will be traveling tomorrow again. It’s difficult, let’s see how we cope with it as players. There will be fatigue, sure. Nowadays, ODIs look quite long because we’ve been playing T20s a lot. You have to keep the same intensity for 50 overs. Hopefully, there are no injuries because the schedule is quite hectic,” said Shadab Khan further.

The Men In Green had played the final of the Asia Cup last year against Sri Lanka. However, they failed to capture the title after they lost by 23 runs at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium against the Lankan Lions.