Controversy Surrounds Asia Cup 2023 as India-Pakistan Match Gains Reserve Day

Bangladesh calls out unfair treatment

The Asia Cup 2023 has become the center of controversy as a reserve day has been allocated exclusively for the India-Pakistan match in the Super 4 stage. This decision has sparked debate among cricket enthusiasts and participating teams.

The Asia Cup 2023, hosted by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), has already faced disputes over the venue and differences in adopting a hybrid model and a second host country. These issues have caused a series of dramatic events even before the tournament began.

The addition of a reserve day exclusively for the highly anticipated India-Pakistan clash in the Super 4 stage, scheduled for September 10th, 2023, at the Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo, has surprised many. This means that if adverse weather conditions disrupt play on the original match day, the game will resume on September 11th, potentially giving both teams an advantage over Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

The decision to implement this reserve day has received mixed reactions. While broadcasters and some stakeholders support the addition, concerns have been raised about fairness and consistency in the tournament’s playing conditions due to the lack of consultation with other participating teams.

Sri Lanka coach Chris Silverwood expressed surprise at the decision, stating, “I was a little surprised when I first heard… To be honest, it will be a problem if the reserve day then provides points to the teams and not someone else.”

Similarly, Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusingha voiced his disappointment, saying, “I haven’t seen this kind of thing in another tournament… It is not ideal, and we also would have liked to have an extra day.”

Sri Lanka Cricket & Bangladesh Cricket#AsiaCup2023 pic.twitter.com/m44h21oib1

— RVCJ Media (@RVCJ_FB) September 9, 2023

The controversy escalated as the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) clarified that the decision to include a reserve day for the India-Pakistan match was made with the consent of all four participating teams. However, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh coaches hinted that no move was made to take a consensual call on the issue, highlighting the ongoing discontent among the teams.

The tournament’s credibility faces further scrutiny due to the unpredictable weather forecast, with a 90% chance of rain on the original match day. If play is suspended due to rain or adverse weather conditions, India and Pakistan will have the unique privilege of continuing the match on Monday, while other teams will share points in case of interruptions.

The Asia Cup 2023, already marked by controversies and disputes, now grapples with this latest issue, leaving cricket fans and experts eagerly awaiting the outcome of the India-Pakistan encounter and its potential impact on the tournament’s future proceedings.

As the Asia Cup unfolds, cricket enthusiasts around the world remain on the edge of their seats, anticipating how this latest development will influence the final stages of this prestigious tournament.