As if the Asia Cup 2023 hasn’t gone through enough controversy, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) thought why not another one? A reserve day has been added so a complete Pakistan vs. India clash can happen. Lucky for India, the previous one got washed away after Team Green restricted the opponents to 266. There was no second inning as the rain never halted. The announcement of reserve day for Pak vs. India has generated much debate. Many have argued against it, while some say why not. But is the decision fair?
Reserve Day for Pak vs. India
Alongside the final, the India vs. Pakistan game is the only match of the Super Four round that has gotten a reserve day. It will only happen in case any of the two or both games get washed out completely or partially. Rain has already hindered three of four games including one that was complete abandonment. On the condition that half a game is played, the other half will be played on the reserve day and will be given only the time that was left after the last ball was played.
It is important to mention here that full efforts will be made to ensure the entire match happens on the original date including shortening the game, according to ACC. The news was broken by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) which urged fans not to lose tickets in case the match gets called off.
The coaches seemed unhappy
Head coaches of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka were not too amused by the idea of a reserved day. Before the Lanka versus the Tigers clash, both the coaches in the pre-match press conference articulated their concern
Chandika Hathurusingha stated that it would have been ideal if their team had also gotten an extra day in case of rain but reserved his remarks since the decision had already been taken
“It is not ideal, and we also would have liked to have an extra day. But I don’t have any more comment on this because they have already made a decision and had they consulted us earlier we would have given our opinion,”
Chris Silverwood on the other hand said he felt surprised at the decision. But he added that he doesn’t mind it as long as it won’t affect his team
“Yeah! Look, obviously, I was a little surprised when I heard it first. But we don’t organise the competition, so we can’t do a whole lot about it, right?” “To be honest, I see it only becoming a problem if it provides points to the teams, and affects us,”
Was it fair on the ACC’s part?
For the most part, no. To give just one match a chance to happen completely seems a bit unfair especially when the forecast suggests rain in their matches too. Granted the Pakistan vs. India clash is a cash-lucrative game and generates the highest monetary amount but that does not by any means the other games lack importance. Bangladesh and co-hosts Sri Lanka are very much part of the game and their matches hold equal significance.
After the news of a reserve day for Pak vs. India sprouted a social frenzy, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) took to ‘X’ to clear the air that the two countries were officially consulted before finalizing the decision
The fair in the unfair
A few months ago, when the discussions of Asia Cup venue change were doing the rounds and ACC alongside BCCI were adamant about snatching Pakistan’s hosting right no one stood out for us. Pakistan sought the help of SLC and BCB but they denied all support and sided with the opposition. Had they shown an alliance, there would have been no co-host country and consequently no reserve day drama.
But what more can be said, The decision has already been made and all the teams seem to agree to it. This is just a precautionary measure and an extra day might not even be necessary. Only time will tell the situation. Let’s hope the fans get to witness a proper, non-rain-affected Asia Cup.
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