In Bangladesh's first training session on Thursday ahead of the T20I series opener against India in Delhi on November 3, right-hand batsman Liton Das was observed wearing a mask to better deal with the smog surrounding the national capital post Diwali. A day later, it was learnt more players have joined him feeling discomfort.
The NCR area has been badly affected by paddy burning in the Northern states of Haryana and Punjab coupled with the bursting of crackers during Diwali celebrations.
The mind immediately goes back to the Delhi Test in 2017 where the visiting Sri Lankan players were left fighting a battle with very poor air quality around the same time.
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However, Liton himself said it wasn't about him to coming to terms with the "severe" air quality index danger; he has been encountering respiratory issues and would've worn the mask anyway.
"It’s my personal problem. I was not feeling well then," the 25-year-old was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.
One visiting team source had said: "Yes, we are thinking about getting more masks" to counter the poor air amidst growing discomfort for all players.
It is understood, the worst affected in the Bangladeshi camp is head coach Russell Domingo as he complained of breathing problems, dizziness and burn in the eyes.
"Our coach did not feel well. He said his eyes were burning and he was finding it hard to even breathe because of the lack of clean air," one other team member said.
Hence, asking for extra masks was a no-brainer really as more of visiting team's players were seen wearing them on Friday (November 1).
Haze and visibility is another problem in Delhi at the moment with wicketkeeper batsman Mushfiqur Rahim pointing multiple times towards the sky during training as he found it difficult to spot the ball.
"Yes, sighting the ball was definitely a problem but I think under lights on Sunday it should be alright," said Liton a day earlier.
There were talks of the game be shifted but newly elected BCCI president Sourav Ganguly said it was too late to make a change in the pre-planned schedule.
"We have spoken to Delhi authorities in the last two days. They are expecting the match to go through. It could not be cancelled in the last minute," Ganguly said.
"I spoke to the groundsman in Delhi. He said once the sun comes out everything will be fine. He was my groundsman in Delhi Capitals."
"We came in on October 28 and it was too late to do anything, Lot of preparation go in matches. I hope it goes through."
"Post-Diwali is a difficult time in the North. There is smoke and dust and everything, in future when we schedule matches in North at this time of the year, we have to be a bit more practical," he concluded.
