Asia Cup 2023: BCB terms India vs Pakistan reserve day fiasco as 'unanimous', contradicts Bangladesh coach's statement

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) seems to have contradicted its own head coach’s statements on the India vs Pakistan “reserve day” controversy in the ongoing Asia Cup, saying that it was a “unanimous decision” taken after getting consent from all teams competing in the Super Four stage.

With rain threat looming in Colombo over the weekend and the upcoming week, the Asian Cricket Council, who had briefly considered moving matches to Hambantota, had said that the India vs Pakistan game would be the only Super Four match to have a reserve day.

“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,” BCB posted on their official X (Formerly Twitter) handle.

“To clarify on the position, the decision was taken with the consent of all four participating teams and ACC,”  the board added.

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.

— Bangladesh Cricket (@BCBtigers) September 8, 2023

Hathurusingha had said that the situation was far from ideal but he had no more comments on this.

“It is not ideal, and we also would have liked to have an extra day. But I don’t have any more comment on this because they have already made a decision and had they consulted us earlier we would have given our opinion,” Hathurusingha said at a press-conference on Friday.

Sri Lanka coach Chris Silverwood said he was a “little surprised” on the development. “Little surprised when I first heard,”  he said.

Venkatesh Prasad, former India cricketer, was also critical on his take of the controversy.

“If true this is absolute shamelessness this. The organisers have made a mockery and it is unethical to have a tournament with rules being different for the other two teams.

“In the name of justice, will only be fair if it is abandoned the first day, may it rain harder on the second day and these malicious plans not succeed,” Prasad posted on X.

Both of India’s group matches, played in Pallekele, have been affected by rain. While their first match against Pakistan was washed out after India had posted 266 on the board, the Men in Blue’s 145- run-chase against Nepal was shortened to 23 overs.

India will next take on Pakistan once again, this time in the Super Four stage in Colombo on Sunday.