ACC dismisses Dhoni outburst on schedule

KARACHI: The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) on Sunday dismissed Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni's criticism of tight schedule of the Asia Cup tournament.
    
Dhoni had said after India's win over Bangladesh on Saturday night that he was not happy with the tournament schedule as his team ended up playing three matches in four days.
    
"We have spent 36 hours playing cricket out of the 84 hours we have been in Karachi. It is too tight. I am not happy with the schedule. Two teams have to play back to back matches while two have got a day off," he had said.
    
ACC Chief Executive Ashraful Haque said the schedule was finalised by Pakistan Cricket Board and the ACC, and all the boards of participating countries had given their approval.
    
"After the schedule was finalised and six weeks before the tournament we had sent the programme to all the concerned boards including India to give us their approval," he said.
    
"The schedule was approved by all the boards, so I don't see any reason of complaining. Tight schedules are part of international cricket now," he said.
    
The Indian Cricket Board also snubbed Dhoni, saying any player who wanted rest could inform the Board.
    
"The Asia Cup schedule has been drawn up by Asian Cricket Council and since India is a member of ACC, we are participating in the tournament. The BCCI was not directly involved in drawing up the schedule," Shukla said.
    
"If any player is tired or finding it hard he can inform the Board. That is why we have created a large pool of players so that everybody gets a chance whenever it is required," Shukla said.