Sri Lanka coach Chris Silverwood and Bangladesh coach Chandika Hathurasingha were disappointed with the decision of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) to have a reserve day only for the India-Pakistan game of the Asia Cup 2023. The Super 4 game between the Asian Giants will have an extra day due to the rain threats in Colombo on September 10.
This decision was made because of the high probability of severe rain on September 10, the scheduled day of the match, with a 90% chance of precipitation in the Island nation. PCB informed the spectators of the change in the playing conditions and urged them to hold onto their tickets in case a reserve day was required.
During the press conference ahead of their game against Sri Lanka, Bangladesh coach Chandika Hathurasingha expressed his disappointment in having a reserve day only for the India-Pakistan game and revealed that they would also like to have an extra day for their Super 4 games.
“There is a technical committee (in Asia Cup) represented by every participating country 6 nations. They might have decided it for some other reason.
“It is not ideal, and we also would have liked to have an extra day, But I don’t have any more comment on this because they have already made a decision, and had they consulted us earlier we would have given our opinion,” Chandika Hathurasingha said.
India-Pakistan game was the only one to have a reserve day, which caused controversy with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh games being scheduled at the same venue, as the fans and experts slammed the Asian Cricket Council over the partiality to the other participating nations in the event.
I See It Only Becoming A Problem If It Provides Points To The Teams – Chris Silverwood
Similarly, Sri Lankan head coach Chris Silverwood wasn’t pleased with the Asian Cricket Council’s decision and believes that the issue will only arise if the forthcoming rain interferes with their games in Colombo. Dasun Shanaka-led side will take on Bangladesh in their opening game of the Super 4 stage in Colombo on Saturday.
“Yeah! Look obviously I was a little surprised when I heard it first. But we don’t organise the competition, so we can’t do a whole lot about it, right?”
“To be honest, I see it only becoming a problem if it provides points to the teams, and affects us,” Chris Silverwood added
The India-Pakistan game in Kandy was abandoned after the first innings in the group stage of the tournament which might be the reason behind having a reserve for the match on Sunday as it draws a lot of attention worldwide.