Sri Lanka, Bangladesh accept ACC's decision to reschedule PAKvsInd match

Colombo: The head coaches of Sri Lanka and Bangladesh expressed concerns about the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) decision to reschedule the Asia Cup match between Pakistan and India. 

However, clarity has emerged from their respective boards.

In the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup, Pakistan is set to clash with India on September 10th in Colombo.

Still, due to the ongoing heavy rains in Sri Lanka, the ACC had prepared for a reserve day for this crucial match on September 11th.

PCB had initially voiced reservations following rain forecasts, but eventually, the ACC approved the rescheduling of the match after consultation with the respective cricket boards.

Following this development, Indian media reported that the head coaches of the Sri Lankan and Bangladeshi cricket teams, Chris Silverwood and Chandika Hathurusingha, respectively, were not pleased with the decision.

Bangladesh's head coach, Chandika Hathurusingha, mentioned during a pre-match press conference on Friday that the decision to play the Asia Cup was made by the Asian Cup Technical Committee, representing all participating countries.

He emphasized that this decision must have been taken for valid reasons.

Hathurusingha added, "We were not consulted about this matter. We also hope that if rain interrupts the match, we should also be given a reserve day. I can't say much because the Asian Cricket Council has made the decision, but if they had consulted us, we would have given our opinion."

Both the Bangladesh and Sri Lankan cricket boards later clarified the situation.

A post from the Bangladesh Cricket Board stated that "The decision to reserve a day for the Pakistan-India match in the Asia Cup has been made with the consent of the Asian Cricket Council and all participating teams."

The international news agency confirmed that the playing conditions for the Asia Cup have been altered due to the impending heavy rain.

Regarding the September 10th match, if it is not completed due to rain, it will be continued on September 11th, where it was left off.

It should be noted that the Asia Cup's final schedule for September 17th is also at risk due to rain concerns.

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

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