Will pollution lead to cancellation of Bangladesh-Sri Lanka World Cup match in Delhi?

Bangladesh coach Chandika Hathurusingha admitted Sunday his team has "no choice" but to play Sri Lanka in smog-choked New Delhi as their failed World Cup mission winds down.

The Indian capital — which has a population of 30 million — once again ranked as the world´s most polluted city Sunday, according to monitoring firm IQAir.

Both Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have cancelled training sessions in the city in recent days.

"We were concerned. We are trying to minimise our exposure to the outdoors as much as possible. We need to practice but we have to be careful over the long-term effect of this condition," said Hathurusingha.

"The air quality is affecting both teams. It´s not ideal, but we have no choice. We have to play in the conditions in front of us."

World Cup organisers have already banned firework shows at New Delhi´s Arun Jaitley Stadium and at the Wankheded in Mumbai in an attempt not to exacerbate the problem.

"Some of the players didn´t turn up for practice as they are asthmatic so they stayed indoors," added Hathurusingha on Sunday.

"Even for practice, we´re very conscious. We train what we have to train, and go back into the dressing room. They don´t spend time unless they´re bowling or batting."

Cricket’s governing body, ICC, is also closely monitoring the situation with the help of renowned Pulmonologist Dr Randeep Guleria.

"The BCCI engaged the services of renowned Pulmonologist Dr Randeep Guleria to assess the situation in Delhi ahead of Monday's game and provide independent expert advice. Under Dr Guleria's guidance, the venue team has been taking mitigating actions throughout the day including the implementation of water sprinklers around the premises and the installation of air purifiers in the dressing rooms and match officials areas. The AQI within the stadium was monitored throughout the day which has reduced to levels considered acceptable by Dr Guleria,” the ICC said in a statement while talking to Cricbuzz.

"The ICC will continue to work in collaboration with Dr Guleria, BCCI, DDCA, and the Delhi Government to monitor the air quality and to take all possible steps to mitigate the air quality concerns at the Arun Jaitley Stadium and the match remains scheduled to take place in Delhi on Monday,” it added.

In 2017, the Sri Lankan team played a Test match against India in New Delhi wearing surgical masks due to the damaging levels of pollution.

Team manager Mahinda Halangoda refused to rule out similar precautions on Monday.

"Obviously, today when we came, we were wearing masks, and we were told to wear masks," he said.

"But it depends exactly what the outside index is, and then we´ll make a call on it."

Halangoda added, however, that they had not requested a change of venue.

"We didn´t make a request to change, but we were just asking ICC what´s the plan. They have installed some equipment here, and they´ve got specialists to check.

"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."

Bangladesh have just one win from seven games at the World Cup and have been eliminated from semi-final contention.

Sri Lanka, the 1996 champions, have two wins but need a mathematical miracle if they are to squeeze into the last four.

— Additional input from AFP

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