Ex-Sri Lankan Player Slams ICC For India-Pak Reserve Day!

When the Asia Cup was announced, Indian fans were happy as they can get to see Men In Blue locking horns with arch-rivals Pakistan. India started its stint by playing against Pakistan. But the match could not make the fans happy as rain washed the play.

Having learned from this, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) came up with the idea of a reserve day for the second game in which India crushed Pakistan. Only a few overs were played on the match day and the rest of the play was continued on the reserve day.

Indian fans were happy with the arrangement. Their wait gave a fruitful outcome with India registering a comprehensive win. In all departments, batting, bowling, and fielding India outperformed Pakistan and registered its biggest win against arch-rivals in ODI format.

While the reserve day idea gave a fruitful outcome for the Indian team and its fans, there is a criticism over alleged favoritism on the match. Rain spoiled many matches in the tournament but only the India-Pakistan match was given a reserve day. Critics also question the decision.

Now veteran Sri Lankan player Deshamanya Arjuna Ranatunga joined the row and slammed the decision. He tore the International Cricket Council and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) for the decision. The former Minister opined that ICC which was supposed to protect cricket is not doing the same.

The senior player dubbed ICC as an unprofessional and toothless tiger. “ICC is a toothless tiger. They act very unprofessionally. I think they are the ones who should protect cricket. Ultimately cricket should be controlled by ICC and not by a country. In Asia Cup, you had rules and you changed rules for one game. So where is ACC? Where is ICC?," he asked.

Acknowledging the powerful position of BCCI, the senior cricketer said one board or nation cannot dictate terms and ICC should protect the game. Looking at the reserve day for the Asia Cup, he said that it would not be a shock if the India-Pakistan match gets a reserve day in the 50-over World Cup.

The 50-over World Cup slated to commence this year is hosted by India. After a long back of 12 years, India is hosting the tournament. As India won the 2011 edition of the World Cup, fans are hopeful that the same will be repeated.