Follow UsWith talks of a possible shifting of the Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka fixture in Delhi due to the air pollution in the city, Sri Lanka team manager has confirmed that will head to whatever ICC tells them. He has also confirmed that there was no request made by Sri Lanka to shift the venue.
"We didn't make a request to change, but we were just asking ICC what happened because when we came here, we saw that the Bangladesh team has cancelled and we saw actually the outside environment. So, we just asked them what's the plan," Sri Lanka team manager Mahinda Halangoda said.
"So, they said they will actually have a discussion, and then they'll come back. And I think they have installed some equipment here, and they've got specialists to check, and they are helping him out. So, 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."
Halangoda also added that they are listening to the advice of the medical team they have on board and are working closely with the ICC as well. This is not the first a Sri Lankan team has been affected by the pollution in the city. In December 2017, during a Test match against India here, many from the team wore a face mask while fielding. Many players had also fallen sick.
"We are constantly in touch with our medical team panel back in Sri Lanka. Actually, the professor who is in charge is already in India. Actually, he had come for a conference and we are in touch with him, the team doctor. And definitely, we will be looking at the index, but obviously, we will be guided by the ICC, and I think they have a medical panel here, so they will be giving us instructions," he said.
"Obviously, today, when we came, we were wearing masks, and we were told to wear masks. But it depends exactly what the outside index is, and then we'll make a call on it."
Sri Lanka's chances of making the World Cup semis are very slim at the moment. They are currently sitting sixth in the table with four points from seven matches. After their clash against Bangladesh, they will travel to Bengaluru, where they will take on New Zealand for their final group stage game.