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Bangladesh Make Abu Dhabi Their Home Base To Avoid Long Travel During Asia Cup 2025

Jatin

Bangladesh are placed in Group B [Source: AFP Photos]Bangladesh are placed in Group B [Source: AFP Photos]

Bangladesh aren’t taking any chances with travel fatigue this time around. The Tigers have decided to make Abu Dhabi their home base for the Asia Cup 2025 group stage, kicking off September 9.

BCB Picks Abu Dhabi as Base for Asia Cup 2025

It is a smart move, considering how past tournaments have been a logistical nightmare. Bangladesh will play all their Asia Cup 2025 Group B matches against Hong Kong (Sept 11), Sri Lanka (Sept 13) and Afghanistan (Sept 16) at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. And they are not keen on doing the daily Dubai-to-Abu Dhabi grind again.

"There were instances when it took nearly one and a half hours to reach Abu Dhabi from Dubai, but returning from the venue, we often got stuck in traffic for longer," a BCB official told The Daily Star.

Super 4s Shift The Base Again

If the Tigers make it past the group hurdle and into the Super 4s, they will pack their bags again and head to Dubai. But until then, Abu Dhabi is their base.

The squad will touch down in the UAE on September 7 with the group split into two: one flying out in the morning, the other in the evening.

No Julian Wood On This Trip

One name missing from this tour is Julian Wood. The England-based power-hitting coach, who worked with the Tigers on a short-term contract, won’t be part of the UAE leg. His contract ends on September 3.

BCB’s cricket operations boss Nazmul Abedeen Fahim clarified:

"If needed in the future, we might bring him or someone like him again." He also added, "We have specialist batting coaches now, like Salahuddin. Another may come if necessary, but we don't need a power-hitting coach throughout the year at this moment."

Bangladesh Mean Business This Time

It’s clear that Bangladesh don’t want distractions. They have been burnt before by long bus rides and scrambled prep. This time, they are fixing the small things so they can go big on the field. With a clear base, a settled squad and a familiar venue, the Tigers will look to roar from the get-go in Abu Dhabi.