Amidst the ongoing excitement of the 2023 World Cup, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have faced a string of disappointments in the tournament. Bangladesh currently finds itself in the ninth position in the standings. The team had six losses in seven matches. Along with that, the Sri Lankan team is positioned in seventh place with just four points. Given their underwhelming performance, the forthcoming match between these two sides will be crucial. It will present a significant chance for them to secure a much-needed victory and uplift their spirits.
The much-anticipated clash between fierce rivals is under a cloud of uncertainty due to adverse weather conditions in Delhi. Notably, the air pollution levels in India’s national capital have soared, with the air quality index reaching alarming levels of 600-700. According to experts, such a high AQI poses severe health risks, especially concerning respiratory issues.
Additionally, the visibility during an ODI match with the white ball may be severely hampered in foggy conditions, potentially causing a delayed start. Furthermore, the adverse air quality could lead to health problems for players and match officials, possibly resulting in the abandonment of the match. It’s worth noting that Sri Lankan players encountered respiratory difficulties during a Test match in Delhi against India in 2017. In case of abandonment, both teams will receive one point each.
Bangladesh’s World Cup struggles under Shakib Al Hasan lead to calls for change
Bangladesh’s poor performance in the ODI World Cup 2023 has sparked calls for extensive changes. The changes range from pushing players out of their comfort zones to overhauling a domestic system often marred by corruption and mismanagement. Bangladesh was the first team to exit the World Cup after a seven-wicket loss to Pakistan.
Following an initial win against Afghanistan, they suffered six consecutive defeats. These defeats not only eliminated them from semi-final contention but also jeopardised their qualification for the 2025 Champions Trophy. The string of losses came against England, New Zealand, India, South Africa, and the Netherlands, eventually sealing their fate against Pakistan.
