Asia Cup 2023: Reserve day for India vs Pakistan Super 4 match added with consent from all teams, says BCB

Hours after Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusingha said that it was not ideal to have a reserve day only for the India-Pakistan Super 4s match, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) stated that the precautionary measure was given the go-ahead by all four teams in the Asia Cup on Friday.

The tournament, which has been hampered by heavy rain in Sri Lanka, had only one Super Four game scheduled in Pakistan (Pakistan vs Bangladesh), with the remaining games, including the final, scheduled to be played at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

The only washout in the group stages was the high-octane clash between India and Pakistan in Pallekele. Because of the possibility of another heavy downpour during their match on Sunday, the organisers added a reserve day on Monday. When the tournament fixtures were initially announced, only the final had a reserve day.

“If adverse weather suspends play during the Pakistan vs India game, the match will continue on 11th September 2023 from the point it was suspended,” stated the advisory, issued by the Pakistan Cricket Board on Friday, the tournament host.

“In such an eventuality, ticket-holders are advised to hold on to their match tickets which will remain valid and will be utilised for the reserve day.”

While the decision is being scrutinised, the BCB took to X (formerly Twitter) and stated: “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..”

“I have not seen anything like this earlier. This is something new. It’s not ideal,” Bangladesh coach Chandika Hathurusingha said in the press conference.

“We would love to have an extra day as well. Other than that I don’t have much to comment on because they (technical committee) have made a decision. There is a technical committee (in Asia Cup) represented by every participating country. They might have decided it with some other reason.”