In a recent turn of events, the Bangladesh cricket team encountered a difficult decision on Friday as they grappled with the hazardous air pollution levels in Delhi. The team had arrived in the Indian capital earlier in the week to prepare for their World Cup 2023 match against Sri Lanka on November 6.

Initially, the team had scheduled three training sessions at Arun Jaitley Stadium, with the first session planned for Friday evening. However, they were forced to revise their plans due to the worsening air quality conditions.

Bangladesh Abandons Delhi Practice Session Ahead of ODI World Cup 2023 Clash Against Sri Lanka Due to Severe Air Pollution

With the air quality index exceeding 400 in various parts of the city, the government declared a state of air emergency, resulting in the closure of schools for two days and the imposition of restrictions on construction activities and vehicular traffic.

“We initially planned a training session today, but given the worsening conditions, we didn’t take any chances. We have two more training days left. Some of our players developed coughing, posing a health risk. We’re not willing to risk falling ill. While we’re unsure if conditions will improve, we have a training session scheduled for tomorrow. We want all our players to be in top shape for the crucial game on November 6,” explained Bangladesh team Director Khaled Mahmud.

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Bangladesh’s concerns are well-founded, considering the adverse health effects of prolonged exposure to such polluted air. The team’s training session for Saturday is slated for the evening, and they are scheduled to practice at 2 p.m. on Sunday.

It’s important to note that there have been no ongoing discussions between the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) regarding the possible relocation of the Bangladesh-Sri Lanka match.

This situation comes on the heels of Indian cricketer Rohit Sharma expressing concerns about deteriorating air quality in Mumbai and stressing the importance of a cleaner environment for future generations. In response, the BCCI has decided to eliminate fireworks displays during the remaining matches in Mumbai and Delhi to address air quality concerns.