Asthmatic players skip practice as Delhi air bites

Asthmatic Bangladesh cricketers remained indoors while Sri Lankan players wore masks as poor air quality in smog-shrouded New Delhi remained the talking point ahead of today’s World Cup clash between the two nations.
Both teams had already cancelled one practice session in the build up to the match between eliminated Bangladesh and seventh-placed Sri Lanka, who have only the slimmest of chances of reaching the last four.
While the sun did peep out around noon on Sunday, the filthy air prompted the Delhi government to extend the closure of primary schools until Nov. 10, while online learning has been suggested for other classes.
Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) read an alarming 460 on Sunday and Sri Lanka coach Chandika Hathurusinghe said they were trying to minimise exposing their players to such conditions ahead of the match.
An AQI of 0-50 is considered good while anything between 400-500 affects healthy people and is considered a danger to those with existing diseases.
“Our doctor is keeping a close eye on the players,” Hathurusinghe told reporters on Sunday.
“Some of the players didn’t turn up for practice as they are asthmatic, so they stayed indoors.
“Even for practice, we’re very conscious.
“We train what we have to train, and then go back into the dressing room.
“They don’t spend time outdoor unless they’re bowling or batting.”
The Indian cricket board has banned use of fireworks in post-match celebration and would hope today’s match, last in Delhi, gets over without any drama.
The governing International Cricket Council (ICC) said it was monitoring the situation in New Delhi. “It’s not ideal, but we have no choice. We have to play in the condition in front of us,” Hathurusinghe said.
Fast bowlers will find it particularly difficult to produce their best in such conditions but Hathurusinghe denied it would influence Bangladesh’s team combination.
“Team selection won’t depend on air quality. It depends on the condition and the opposition and our strength,” he said.
Asked if he thought Delhi was fit to host cricket matches at this time of the year, the coach evaded a direct answer by saying he was not “a qualified person” to give a verdict.
Most of the Sri Lankan players wore masks when they arrived at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in the afternoon.
Skipper Kusal Mendis dismissed media reports claiming the 1996 champions had requested the ICC to shift the match to another venue.
“We didn’t make a request to change... We just asked them what’s the plan,” Mendis told reporters.
“I think they have installed some equipment here, and they’ve got specialists to check (the air quality)...
“They have already informed us that they are planning to go ahead. So we will do exactly what the ICC actually tells us to do.”
Meanwhile Bangladesh coach Hathurusingha said his players have retreated into “a shell” at the World Cup, insisting their problems are “between the ears”.
The Tigers have just one win in seven games and are already out of contention for a semi-final place despite having two group games left to play.
“We didn’t play our best cricket but the thing is nothing has changed from the first game to now. Only change is what’s going on between our ears. Our skills haven’t gone anywhere,” said Hathurusingha.
Bangladesh face Sri Lanka in pollution-choked New Delhi today before rounding off their campaign against five-time champions Australia in Pune on Saturday.
They began the World Cup with a victory over Afghanistan but they were only chasing 156 to win.
Since then, they have slipped to heavy losses to England, New Zealand, India, South Africa and Pakistan.
They also suffered probably their lowest point in losing to the Netherlands, bowled out for just 142 in pursuit of a modest 230-run target.
In a tournament where huge totals have become standard, Bangladesh’s best was 256 against India.
Furthermore, they have only one batsman and one bowler in the top 25 of run-makers and wicket-takers.
Mahmudullah, who will be 38 in February and highly unlikely to feature at the 2027 World Cup, has 274 runs with an impressive average of more than 68.
Off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz is Bangladesh’s leading bowler albeit with just nine wickets.
“Their skill hasn’t gone anywhere, whatever is going through our heads is the only thing that is disturbing us,” added Hathurusingha.
“We haven’t shown what we are capable of. For some reason we have gone into a shell, especially in batting. That is what we need to fix and come and play fearless cricket.”