Asthmatic Bangladesh cricketers remained indoors ahead of their World Cup clash against Sri Lanka, with coach Chandika Hathurusinghe citing the air quality in smog-shrouded New Delhi on Sunday.
Both teams had already cancelled one practice session in the build up to Monday’s match between eliminated Bangladesh and seventh-placed Sri Lanka, which has only the slimmest of chances of reaching the last four.
While the sun did peep out around noon on Sunday, the filthy air has prompted the Delhi government to extend the closure of primary schools until Nov. 10, while online learning has been suggested for other classes.
Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) read an alarming 460 on Sunday and Hathurusinghe said they were trying to minimise exposing their players to such conditions ahead of the match.
An AQI of 0-50 is considered good while anything between 400-500 affects healthy people and is considered a danger to those with existing diseases.
“Our doctor is keeping a close eye on the players,” the Sri Lankan told reporters at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
“Some of the players didn’t turn up for practice as they are asthmatic, so they stayed indoors. Even for practice, we’re very conscious. We train what we have to train, and then go back into the dressing room. They don’t spend time outdoor unless they’re bowling or batting.”
The Indian cricket board has banned use of fireworks in post-match celebration and would hope Monday’s match, the last World Cup 2023 match in Delhi, gets over without any drama.
The governing International Cricket Council (ICC) said it was monitoring the situation in New Delhi.
“It’s not ideal, but we have no choice. We have to play in the condition in front of us,” Hathurusinghe said.
Fast bowlers will find it particularly difficult to produce their best in such conditions but Hathurusinghe denied it would influence Bangladesh’s team combination.
“Team selection won’t depend on air quality. It depends on the condition and the opposition and our strength,” he said.
Asked if he thought Delhi was fit to host cricket matches at this time of the year, the coach evaded a direct answer by saying he was not “a qualified person” to give a verdict.
Instead, he shifted his focus to the task at hand for Bangladesh, who must finish among the top eight to qualify for the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan. They are currently ninth in the points table.
“Still the Champions Trophy (spot) is up for grabs, so we need to finish as high as possible.”
Sri Lanka’s team manager Mahinda Halangoda, meanwhile, clarified that the team didn’t request for a change of venue.
“We were asking the ICC what would happen because when we came here, we saw the Bangladesh team had cancelled (training),” he said. “We just asked them what was the plan...I think they have installed some equipment here, and they have got specialists to check and they are helping them out. So, we will do exactly what the ICC actually tells us to do.”
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