India vs Pakistan Super 4 Match To Have Reserve Day: Here's How Bangladesh, Sri Lanka React

A 'Reserve Day' decision in connection with India vs Pakistan Super 4 in Colombo taken by The Asia Cup 2023 tournament stirred a huge controversy and the head coaches of other teams expressed disappointment with the decision.

A decision regarding to 'Reserve Day' has been taken for India vs Pakistan Super 4 Match that is going to take place in Colombo on September 10 followed by a high probability of heavy rainfall, with weather forecasts predicting a 90 percent chance of rains on September 10, the scheduled day of the match.

However, the head coaches of other teams did not welcome the decision as they felt it was unfair for other teams who did not get the privilege of a 'Reserve Day'.

According to the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), if rain disrupts the game on the original day, it will resume from the point of suspension on the reserve day. But this did not go well with the head coaches of Sri Lanka Cricket and Bangladesh Cricket.

Taking it the platform X, the Bangladesh Cricket Board wrote, "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," followed by Sri Lanka Cricket who shared the same post.

"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 change. #AsiaCup2023," it wrote.

Regardless, the disparity in providing a reserve day for just one specific match in the Super 4 stage of the Asia Cup has left many cricket fans questioning the ACC's decision-making process.

Sri Lanka's Chris Silverwood and Bangladesh head coach Chandiika Hathurusingha revealed that they were surprised at the reserve day being announced for the blockbuster clash.

Sri Lanka coach Chris Silverwood was quoted saying as, "Little surprised when I first heard."

"But at the same time, we are not the organisers of the competition so not a lot we can do about that. To be honest, it will be a problem if the reserve day then provides points to the teams and not someone else, but nothing we can do about it so we keep preparing and do the best we can," the Englishman added.

While on he other hand, Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusingha dropped a hint by saying that the decision might not have been made in consultation with the other participating teams. "I haven't seen this kind of thing in another tournament... this changing rules in the middle of the tournament. There is a technical committee (in Asia Cup) represented by every participating country. They might have decided it for some other reason. It is not ideal, and we also would have liked to have an extra day."