Bangladesh players feel ‘asthmatic’ as only 13 players turn up for practice

The Bangladesh national cricket team is grappling with severe air pollution concerns as they prepare for their World Cup match against Sri Lanka. On the eve of the match, only eight Bangladesh players attended the training session, while the rest, reportedly “asthmatic,” decided to avoid exposure to the city’s poor air quality.

The hazardous air conditions in Delhi have already disrupted training sessions for both teams. Bangladesh canceled one of their training sessions on Friday evening, and Sri Lanka followed suit on Saturday afternoon. On Saturday evening, Bangladesh managed to train with 13 players, but their attendance further dwindled on Sunday afternoon.

Bangladesh Head Coach said

Chandika Hathurusinghe, the head coach of the Bangladesh team, expressed his concerns about the players’ well-being. “Our doctor has kept a close eye on players. Some of the players didn’t turn up for practice because they are asthmatic, so they stayed indoors,” Hathurusinghe explained. “And even for practice, we’re very conscious. We train what we have to train, and they go back into the dressing room. They don’t spend time unless they’re bowling or batting. We have taken some measures to minimize our exposure before the game.”

While Hathurusinghe emphasized that the team selection would not be influenced by the air quality, he acknowledged the long-term effects of playing in such conditions. “Air quality is affecting both teams. It is not ideal. But we have no choice. We have to play in the conditions that are in front of us,” he stated.

The Sri Lanka team manager, Mahinda Halangoda, noted that they would follow the guidance of the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding air quality. “Today when we came, we were told to wear masks. But it depends on what the outside index is, and then we’ll make a call on it,” Halangoda said.

According to ICC guidelines, an Air Quality Index (AQI) reading below 200 is considered safe for play, but a higher AQI could jeopardize the match. The AQI reading near the Arun Jaitley Stadium, the match venue, exceeded 400 on Sunday afternoon, with reports of it reaching 500 at certain points during the day. The government had declared an air emergency in Delhi as AQI levels rose above 400 in multiple areas of the city, resulting in school closures and restrictions on construction and vehicle traffic.

ICC spokespersons confirmed that they were monitoring the situation closely. BCCI staff at the ground have been conducting air-quality readings using handheld devices. Mitigation measures, including sprinklers and air purifiers in dressing rooms, will be implemented to lower pollution levels and protect players’ health. Match officials will treat air pollution like weather conditions when deciding whether the conditions are fit for play or not, taking players off the field if necessary.

The severe air pollution in Delhi poses a significant challenge for players and organizers, highlighting the need for addressing air quality concerns in major sporting events. The well-being of the athletes remains a top priority, and the ICC, BCCI, and team officials are working together to ensure a safe and healthy environment for the World Cup matches.

Stay updated with all the cricketing action, follow Cricadium on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram