SLC, BCB differ with their coaches on reserve day for Indo-Pak clash

JOIN OUR WHATSAPP CHANNEL

In the league stage, India and Pakistan had faced off at Pallekele last week, but the match was abandoned due to persistent rain. Now, with the highly-anticipated rematch scheduled for September 10 in Colombo, a reserve day has been arranged to account for potential rain disruptions.

However, it's worth noting that other matches in the Super Four stage will not have a reserve day, despite the possibility of rain in the Sri Lankan capital. During the pre-match presser ahead of their Super 4 match against Sri Lanka, Bangladesh coach Chandika Hathurasingha voiced his uncertainty about the sudden change in Asia Cup playing conditions.

“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," Hathurasingha said.

Hathurasingha stated that the decision was made without consulting other teams.

“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," Hathurasingha added. 

Sri Lanka's coach, Chris Silverwood also expressed his surprise upon learning about the decision to add an extra day for the India-Pakistan match.

"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?" said Silverwood.

Silverwood also raised concerns about the reserve day potentially providing an unfair advantage to either India or Pakistan if they gain points on that particular day. 

"To be honest, I see it only becoming a problem if it provides points to the teams, and affects us," he further added.

On contrary both the Sri Lankan and Bangladesh cricket boards confirmed the consensus reached among the participating teams. Sri Lanka's board, on their official social media account, stated, The reserve day for the India-Pakistan contest of the Super 11 Asia Cup Super 4 stage was taken in consultation with all four member boards of the Super 4 competing teams. Accordingly, the ACC effectively revised the playing conditions of the tournament to effect the agreed-upon change,"

The reserve day for the India-Pakistan contest of the Super 11 Asia Cup Super 4 stage was taken in consultation with all four member boards of the Super 4 competing teams.

Accordingly, the ACC effectively revised the playing conditions of the tournament to effect the agreed-upon…

— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) September 8, 2023

Likewise Bangladesh Cricket Board also stated similar on 'X', A reserve day for India Pakistan contest in Super 11 Asia Cup Super 4 stage has been added that effectively revised the Asia Cup playing condition. To clarify on the position, the decision was taken with the consent of all four participating teams and ACC,"

A reserve day for India Pakistan contest in Super 11 Asia Cup Super 4 stage has been added that effectively revised the Asia Cup playing condition. To clarify on the position, the decision was taken with the consent of all four participating teams and ACC.

— Bangladesh Cricket (@BCBtigers) September 8, 2023

These differences between the board and coaches are expected to alleviate concerns expressed earlier by coaches of Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, who were initially taken aback by the addition of a reserve day.

The revised playing conditions now stipulate that if adverse weather suspends play during the India-Pakistan clash scheduled for September 10, the match will continue on September 11, 2023, from the point it was suspended. Ticket-holders have been advised to retain their match tickets, as they will remain valid for the reserve day.