Cricket enthusiasts were taken aback when a reserve day was designated for the India vs. Pakistan Super Fours match set for September 10 in the ongoing Asia Cup 2023. As per Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), if adverse weather disrupts play during the India vs. Pakistan game, it will resume on September 11 from where it was halted. Spectators are advised to retain their tickets for the reserve day if needed.
The India vs. Pakistan Group A match in Kandy ended prematurely after just one innings due to rain. The weather forecast for Colombo, where the remaining Asia Cup fixtures will take place, also appears to be somewhat uncertain. What’s truly unexpected is that the reserve day has been designated exclusively for India vs. Pakistan match, while the other Super Fours games, notably the crucial one between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, do not have this provision.
Twitter users have raised questions about this unusual decision by the Asian Cricket Council and Sri Lanka Cricket. Here are some of the most notable Twitter reactions regarding the reserve day issue in the Asia Cup.
Here is how Twitterati reacted:
Keeping a reserve day for India Pakistan and not for any other Super Four game is an insult to the other boards. Fact.
— Anuj Nitin Prabhu (@APTalksCricket) September 8, 2023
Such is the intoxication of power and hunger for money that BCCI is touching new peaks of shamelessness everyday.
How can anyone with a sane mind keep a reserve day only for Ind vs Pak and that too on 11th when India has another game scheduled for 12th? #AsiaCup2023
— ∆ 🏏 (@CaughtAtGully) September 8, 2023
A reserve day has been added for the India vs Pakistan match in the #AsiaCup. No other matches have a reserve day. Whilst I completely understand that it's commercial sport and sponsors are important, I miss the days where we at least pretended cricket was a fair & even contest.
— Sheikh_Jee🇵🇰 (@Sheikh_G55) September 8, 2023
Extremely extremely unfair on Srilanka and Bangladesh to just have a reserve day to Ind vs Pak game. I hope one of them boycott the tournament anyways the tournament is not gonna happen!
— Akash Deshpande (@akashd7781) September 8, 2023
This Asia Cup is now a complete joke
In middle of the tournament, you are adding a reserve day just for Ind vs Pak match ignoring all other super 4 games, I mean ye koi gali mullay ka tournament hai jis mein jab dil kiya changes kar li?— Ahsaan Elahi (@Callme_ahsaan) September 8, 2023
When you come to know there's a reserve day for India vs Pakistan, but nothing for other games.
Then you realise the whole Asia Cup is just an exercise to make India and Pakistan play. #INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/Qk6W5iUJJl
— Sameer Allana (@HitmanCricket) September 8, 2023
Only if rest of the nations had the power to protest this absurd decision of having a reserve day for just one Super 4 match. But since they don't, the top two boards will continue to bully them.
— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) September 8, 2023
What’s the reason for giving India vs. Pakistan special treatment?
India vs. Pakistan matches draw immense global attention, with sponsors and broadcasters investing heavily in this high-intensity clash between Asian rivals. When such a match can’t be completed due to unexpected circumstances, it raises significant concerns for key stakeholders.
Due to political tensions between the two governments, India and Pakistan haven’t engaged in a bilateral series for a decade. They only meet in multi-nation tournaments like the Asia Cup and ICC World Cups.
However, this should not be used as a justification to disregard the participation of other teams, especially since Sri Lanka holds the title of defending champion in this continental event.
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