World Cup: Delhi air pollution shrouds Lanka-Bangla clash in uncertainty

Delhi’s notorious air pollution has cast a shadow of doubt over Monday’s (November 6) World Cup clash between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. It is now essentially a choice between the health of the players and a cricket contest.

A thick layer of toxic haze has enveloped the national capital once again, forcing the two teams to cancel their training at least once as Air Quality Index (AQI) remains in the “Severe” category.

While Sri Lanka decided to stay indoors on Saturday, Bangladesh braved hazardous conditions to train in the evening, wearing masks, at the Arun Jaitley Stadium (Feroz Shah Kotla). The “Tigers” had cancelled their opening training session on Friday due to poor quality air.

The AQI has been above the 400 mark on a scale of 500 since Thursday and, according to the Air Quality Early Warning System, it is likely to remain “Severe” till Tuesday.

On Sunday morning, the AQI stood at 457 according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

Decision on match day

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has said a call on the future of the match will be taken only on Monday when the match officials assess the air quality.

Article 2.8 of ICC’s playing conditions says, “If, at any time, the umpires together agree 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.”

It adds, “The decision as to whether conditions are so bad as to warrant such action is one for the umpires alone to make, following consultation with the ICC Match Referee.”

Neither team is a stranger to such situations, with the Sri Lankan players resorting to masks during a Test series back in 2017 and Bangladeshi cricketers doing the same in a T20 match in 2019.

A number of Sri Lankan players had faced respiratory issues back then, while some even vomited in the dressing room due to the hazardous conditions.

Play for pride

Bangladesh are already out of reckoning, while Sri Lanka’s semifinal hopes are hanging by a thread, depending more on mathematics and luck than performance.

Ranked ninth out of 10 teams, Bangladesh are playing for pride, while Sri Lanka are little better, placed at seventh in the standings, and will look to hold on to the position to qualify for the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan.

Sri Lanka have an overwhelming 42–9 record against Bangladesh in 53 ODIs, but the Tigers had defeated the Islanders in the warm-up game ahead of the World Cup and will take inspiration from that win.

Sri Lanka are coming into the match after facing a nightmare against Indian pacers, who bundled them out for 55 during a 302-run thrashing. Kusal Mendis and his men will have to pick themselves up quickly against an equally hurt Tigers.

While injuries have been an issue, Lankan players have also faltered against high-quality opponents, and Bangladesh will have to produce a superlative performance to exploit their weakness.

Sadeera Samarawickrama has been the find of the tournament for the Lankans, who have been served well by Pathum Nissanka and skipper Kusal Mendis in their batting from time to time though they lacked consistency.

In bowling, too, Lankan pacers have blown hot and cold, while the lack of key spinners has hurt the team.

For Bangladesh, it has been a forgettable outing, as they have managed just one win against Afghanistan in the tournament.

A chaotic build-up and lack of form of their players have seen them succumbing to their sixth successive loss and become the first team to be eliminated from the World Cup following a defeat to Pakistan in their last game.

Their batters have not been able to build partnerships, while the bowlers have failed to stop the run flow or take wickets, leaving even skipper Shakib Al Hasan bereft of any answers.

Match details

Squads: Bangladesh: Shakib Al Hasan (c), Litton Das (wk), Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Najmul Hossain Shanto (vc), Tawhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mahmudullah Riyad, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nasum Ahmed, Mahedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib

Sri Lanka: Kusal Mendis (c&wk), Kusal Perera, Pathum Nissanka, Lahiru Kumara, Dimuth Karunaratne, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Kasun Rajitha, Angelo Mathews, Dilshan Madushanka, Dushan Hemantha, Chamika Karunaratne.

Time: 2 pm IST

(With agency inputs)