ODI World Cup 2023: With Delhi AQI becoming worse, uncertainty surrounds the Lanka-Bangla match
Such a scenario is nothing new for either side; in a Test series in 2017, Bangladeshi cricketers resorted to masks, while Sri Lankan players did the same in a T20 in 2019. Back then, a number of Sri Lankan athletes had experienced respiratory problems; some even puked in the locker room as a result of the dangerous circumstances.
On November 4, commuters in New Delhi go along a roadway covered in thick pollution. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has said that a decision about the match's status would only be made on November 6, game day, when authorities evaluate the quality of the air.
The World Cup match between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka has been clouded by the capital's infamous air pollution, and it is unclear if the players' health will come first on November 5.
The national capital is once again covered in a thick layer of poisonous haze, which has forced the two teams to postpone their training at least once while the Air Quality Index (AQI) is still classified as bad.
While Bangladesh risked dangerous circumstances to exercise Friday evening at the Feroz Shah Kotla while donning masks, Sri Lanka chose to remain indoors on Saturday. Due to bad air quality, the "Tigers" had to postpone their first training session on Friday.
The Air Quality Early Warning System states that the AQI is expected to be "severe" until November 7 as it has been over the 400-mark on a scale of 500 since November 2.
The AQI was 457 in the morning on November 5, as reported by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has said unequivocally that a decision regarding the match's continuation would only be decided on November 6, game day, when authorities evaluate the quality of the air.
Article 2.8 of the International Cricket Council's playing regulations states, "If at any time the umpires together agree that the requirements of ground, weather or light, or any additional factors are dangerous or unreasonable, they shall automatically suspend play, or not allow play to get underway or to recommence." .
"The decision as to whether temperatures are so bad as to warrant such action should be left for the umpires alone to make, with conversation with the ICC Match Referee" .
Such a scenario is nothing new for either side; in a Test series in 2017, Bangladeshi cricketers resorted to masks, while Sri Lankan players did the same in a T20 in 2019. Back then, a number of Sri Lankan athletes had experienced respiratory problems; some even puked in the locker room as a result of the dangerous circumstances.
While Sri Lanka's chances of making it to the semifinals are little to none and rely more on chance and arithmetic than skill, Bangladesh are already eliminated.
Bangladesh, ranked ninth out of ten countries, is playing for pride, while Sri Lanka, a little better off at seventh, will want to hang on to the position in order to earn a trip to Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy.
Although Sri Lanka has a commanding 42-9 record against Bangladesh in 53 One-Day Internationals, the Tigers will draw motivation from their victory against the Islanders in the World Cup warm-up match.
Kusal Mendis and his team will need to bounce back fast against the similarly injured Tigers. Sri Lanka enters the game having suffered a nightmare at the hands of Indian pacers, who swept them out for 55 in a 302 run hammering.
Although injuries have been a problem, Sri Lankan players have also performed poorly against elite opponents, thus Bangladesh will need to put on a fantastic show to take advantage of this vulnerability.
The star of the tournament has been Sadeera Samarawickrama for the Lankans, who have struggled with consistency in their batting but have sometimes been well-served by Pathum Nissanka and captain Kusal Mendis.
The dearth of reliable spinners has harmed the squad, while Lankan pacers have also shown their mettle in the bowling department. Bangladesh has only secured one victory versus Afghanistan during the tournament, making it a memorable experience for them.
They are now the first team eliminated from the World Cup after losing to Pakistan in their last match due to a disorganized build-up and poor performance from their players. This is their sixth consecutive loss. Even captain Shakib Al Hasan has run out of options since their bowlers have failed to halt the run flow or take wickets, and their batsmen have been unable to form partnerships.
Teams
Bangladesh: Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nasum Ahmed, Mahedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Najmul Hossain Shanto (vc), Tawhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mahmudullah Riyad, Tanzim Hasan Sakib
Kusal Mendis (c&wk), Kusal Perera, Pathum Nissanka, Lahiru Kumara, Dimuth Karunaratne, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Dunith Wellalage, Kasun Rajitha, Angelo Mathews, Dilshan Madushanka, Dushan Hemantha, and Chamika Karunaratne are the individuals from Sri Lanka.
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