New Delhi
\nAsthmatic Bangladesh cricketers remained indoors ahead of their World Cup clash against Sri Lanka, with coach Chandika Hathurusinghe citing the air quality in smog-shrouded New Delhi on Sunday.
\nBoth teams had already cancelled one practice session in the build-up to Monday\u2019s match between eliminated Bangladesh and seventh-placed Sri Lanka, who have only the slimmest of chances of reaching the last four.
\nWhile the sun did peep out around noon on Sunday, the filthy air has prompted the Delhi government to extend the closure of primary schools until Nov 10, while online learning has been suggested for other classes.
\nDelhi\u2019s air quality index (AQI) read an alarming 460 on Sunday and Hathurusinghe said they were trying to minimise exposing their players to such conditions ahead of the match.
\nAn AQI of 0-50 is considered good while anything between 400-500 affects healthy people and is considered a danger to those with existing diseases.
\n\u201cOur doctor is keeping a close eye on the players,\u201d the Sri Lankan told reporters at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. \u201cSome of the players didn\u2019t turn up for practice as they are asthmatic, so they stayed indoors.
\n\u201cEven for practice, we\u2019re very conscious. We train what we have to train, and then go back into the dressing room. They don\u2019t spend time outdoors unless they\u2019re bowling or batting.\u201d
\nThe Indian cricket board has banned the use of fireworks in post-match celebrations and would hope Monday\u2019s match, the last in Delhi, gets over without any drama.
\nThe governing International Cricket Council (ICC) said it was monitoring the situation in New Delhi.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not ideal, but we have no choice. We have to play in the condition in front of us,\u201d Hathurusinghe said.<\/p>\n
Fast bowlers will find it particularly difficult to produce their best in such conditions but Hathurusinghe denied it would influence Bangladesh\u2019s team combination.<\/p>\n
\u201cTeam selection won\u2019t depend on air quality. It depends on the condition and the opposition and our strength,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Asked if he thought Delhi was fit to host cricket matches at this time of the year, the coach evaded a direct answer by saying he was not \u201ca qualified person\u201d to give a verdict.<\/p>\n
Instead, he shifted his focus to the task at hand for Bangladesh, who must finish among the top eight to qualify for the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan. They are currently ninth in the points table.<\/p>\n
\u201cStill the Champions Trophy (spot) is up for grabs, so we need to finish as high as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
New Delhi Asthmatic Bangladesh cricketers remained indoors ahead of their World Cup clash against Sri Lanka, with coach Chandika Hathurusinghe citing the air quality in smog-shrouded New Delhi on Sunday. Both teams had already cancelled one practice session in the build-up to Monday\u2019s match between eliminated Bangladesh and seventh-placed Sri Lanka, who have only the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-366329","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-sports"},"yoast_head":"\n