The first T20 International between India and Bangladesh is scheduled to take place in Delhi on Sunday despite calls from environmentalists to shift it due to pollution.
On Thursday, Bangladesh wicketkeeper Liton Das was seen wearing a mask while training. Still, on Friday, multiple members of the Bangladesh team and support staff were recognized with pollution masks as they prepared for the series opener.
The likes of Bangladesh fast bowler Al-Amin Hossain, team’s spin consultant Daniel Vettori and head coach Russell Domingo were all spotted wearing the pollution masks during a fielding training session on Friday.
“We know the Sri Lankans struggled last time and looked there’s a bit of pollution in Bangladesh as well, so it’s not a massive shock, unlike some other countries. The players have just got on with the game and haven’t complained too much about it,” Domingo told reporters.
“It’s only three hours, so it’s going to be easy. There may be scratchy eyes, sore throat, but that’s ok. No one is dying,” Domingo added.
He said though the situation was not ideal, it would remain the same for both teams.
“There’s no breeze but obviously not perfect weather with the smog. But it same for both teams. Not perfect, not ideal, but you can’t complain about and get on with the game,” the coach said.
The Ministry of Earth Sciences’ air quality monitor, SAFAR, is hoping that air quality, which is in the ‘severe’ category as of now, will improve by Friday night. However, it will still be on the lower side of the ‘inferior category’ at least till Saturday.
