Delhi: Bangladesh take on Sri Lanka in a Cricket World Cup 2023 match in Delhi’s Arun Jaitley stadium on Monday. But there is a problem, the match could actually be canceled due to high levels of pollution in the city. The Air Quality Index is still in the ‘severe’ category and it does not augur well. The players were seen wearing masks during their training session, not a very pretty sight.
As per ICC, the rule says that in case the umpires deem that the conditions ‘of ground, weather or light, or any other circumstances are dangerous or unreasonable, they shall immediately suspend play, or not allow play to start or to recommence. The final call would be made by the umpires after a consultation with the ICC Match referee.
It is unlikely that the International Cricket Council (ICC) will shift the game out of Delhi but the call on whether the match will go ahead will only be taken on that day. “We are currently assessing the situation. The ICC and our hosts the BCCI take the well-being of all participants seriously and are monitoring the air quality in Delhi. We are taking expert advice to assess the situation,” an ICC spokesperson had told PTI.
SL Probable XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera/Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis (c & wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Angelo Mathews, Dunith Wellalage/Dhananjaya de Silva, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka
BAN Probable XI: Litton Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shakib Al Hasan (c), Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mahmudullah, Towhid Hridoy, Mahedi Hasan/Nasum Ahmed, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam
