🏏 Cricket World Cup 2023: Match #38: Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka:🏏 - Page 2

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SL raises concern about Delhi pollution

Sri Lanka cricket team have raised concerns about the severe air pollution in Delhi ahead of their ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Monday.

"Let me answer that question. I don't think we made a request like that. We didn't make a request to change, but we were just asking ICC what happens because when we came here, we saw that the Bangladesh team has cancelled and we saw actually the outside environment. So, we just asked them what's the plan. So, they said they will actually have a discussion, and then they'll come back. And I think they have installed some equipment here, and they've got specialists to check, and they are helping him out. So, they have already informed us that they are planning to go ahead. So, we will do exactly what the ICC actually tells us to do," SL Team Manager Mahinda Halangoda informed the media.

There is one thing that will act as fuel for both sides – the possibility of directly qualifying for the 2025 Champions Trophy.

So, there is added motivation to finish in the top eight to make the cut. Let us hope there is some improvement in the air quality during the course of the game. Delhi has produced a couple of beaters so far. It might roll out another batting beauty. Will the Lankans put up a clinical show today? Or will Bangladesh bring their A game to the fore? Toss and team lineups will be announced in a while.

Two teams in the bottom half of the table will square off against each other in Delhi today – we are talking about Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. The poor air quality index (AQI) of Delhi has been the centre of attention in the buildup to this game. It has only worsened on the eve of the game. Both teams have cancelled some scheduled practice sessions over the past few days due to the poor air quality. Now, let us shift our attention back to the contest in hand. Sri Lanka's qualification hopes are hanging by a thread – even if they win their last two games convincingly, they need several other results to go their way. Meanwhile, Bangladesh are already out of the semi-final race.

Bangladesh have had a horrid campaign so far. After defeating Afghanistan, they have lost six games in a row. A few of their batters are not batting at a position which is ideal for them. Some batters have moved up and down the order. And these little things have led to problems. The positives for them has been the form of Mahmudullah and Mehidy Hasan. The experienced campaigner has played a few brilliant knocks while the youngster has chipped in with both bat and ball

Sri Lanka, on the other hand, have only won two out of their seven games. They were clinical against Netherlands and England. Apart from that, they have faltered big time. There has been lack of consistency both in batting and bowling. They have suffered due to a few injuries. The form of their biggest weapon, Theekshana, has been lacklustre. After taking over the captaincy, Mendis has looked a shadow of himself. The silver lining for them have been Samarawickrama with the bat and Madushanka with the ball.

Bangladesh have had a horrid campaign so far. After defeating Afghanistan, they have lost six games in a row. A few of their batters are not batting at a position which is ideal for them. Some batters have moved up and down the order. And these little things have led to problems. The positives for them has been the form of Mahmudullah and Mehidy Hasan. The experienced campaigner has played a few brilliant knocks while the youngster has chipped in with both bat and ball.

Our correspondent, Gokul Gopal, pings from the venue: Greetings from the world's most polluted city. Visibility wise, it looks much better compared to the previous two days, with the sun out. But the air quality index is still in the severe category.

Baja's advice for the teams: "Let us treat this as another ODI and enjoy. Forget about the points table"

As if the recent rivalry between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka hasn't been dramatic enough, multiple more issues are circling around too: there is not much else other than pride to play for in a World Cup held on pitches and in conditions hardly any different to their own, there is a potential spot in the Champions Trophy 2025 waiting, and on top of all that is the menace of air pollution in Delhi. Welcome to match No. 38, as the group stages of this World Cup draws near, and things further gain in importance.