Asia Cup 2023: “It is unethical to have…,” Venkatesh Prasad hits out at ACC for adding reserve day only for Indo-Pak clash

Prasad slammed the ACC for a sudden change in the playing conditions.

India versus Pakistan Super-4 match will have a reserve day | GettyAsian Cricket Council (ACC) on Friday (September 8) announced that the India versus Pakistan match of the Asia Cup Super-4 stage would resume on September 11 if the inclement weather plays spoilsport on September 10 in Colombo.

However, the other games will not have a reserve day even though there is rain forecast in the Sri Lankan capital throughout the Super 4s.

Amid the recent development, former India pacer Venkatesh Prasad hit out at the ACC for a sudden change in the playing conditions.

Taking to social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), Prasad wrote: “If true this is absolute shamelessness this. The organisers have made a mockery and it is unethical to have a tournament with rules being different for the other two teams. In the name of justice, will only be fair if it is abandoned the first day, may it rain harder on the second day and these malicious plans not succeed.”

While ACC’s decision wasn't well received either by the fans and experts, Sri Lanka Cricket and Bangladesh Cricket Board issued a statement, revealing that they were consulted before the call was taken.

However, Prasad was taken aback after reading the statements of Sri Lanka and Bangladesh boards.

“What was the pressure to agree to this unreasonable demand ?” he wrote by quoting BCB’s post on X.

Prasad also quoted SLC’s post and wrote: “What was the pressure to agree on this unreasonable demand, when you aren’t getting a reserve day for your own matches ? Why so much generosity to ensure India vs Pakistan isn’t washed out even if it costs your own team a chance to qualify.  Can you please explain truly the intent and reason to do so?”

Notably, the group-stage match between India and Pakistan in Pallekele was abandoned due to rain on September 2.

Opting to bat first, the Men in Blue were bowled out for 266 in 48.5 overs. However, Pakistan’s innings couldn’t take place due to incessant drizzle and the game was called off.

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 09 Sep, 2023

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