Asia Cup Preparations Pick Up Pace in UAE

TDT | Manama

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The build-up to the Asia Cup is gaining momentum in the UAE, with Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the host team already in the country for a tri-series in Sharjah starting Friday. India’s squad is set to arrive in Dubai on September 4, giving fans an early glimpse of the team.

Suryakumar Yadav will lead a 15-member Indian squad for the eight-nation tournament. Unlike previous editions, players will fly directly from their home cities to Dubai instead of assembling in Mumbai first. A senior BCCI official told PTI that all players will be in Dubai by the evening of September 4, with the first training session scheduled at the ICC Academy on September 5.

“Direct arrivals make logistical sense and avoid unnecessary travel,” the official added.

India will kick off their Asia Cup campaign against the UAE on September 10, followed by matches against Pakistan on September 14 and Oman on September 19 in the group stage. The Super Four stage will follow the preliminary round.

Some key players, including pacers Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana, are currently playing in the Duleep Trophy, while spinner Kuldeep Yadav is tied up with domestic commitments. Although the tournament allows 17 players, India has named only 15, with standby players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar, Riyan Parag, and Dhruv Jurel ready to join the squad if needed.