Bangladesh board contradicts its own coach, terms Indo-Pak 'reserve day' decision as "unanimous"
Colombo (PTI): The Bangladesh Cricket Board has termed Asian Cricket Council's decision to have an exclusive reserve day for India versus Pakistan 'Super Four' game as "unanimous" and taken only after getting consent from all four cricket boards.
Expressing his displeasure, Sri Lanka head coach Chandika Hathurusingha on Friday had termed "not ideal" as Sri Lanka coach Chris Silverwood also had expressed his surprise on the eve of their Super 4 clash.
But hours after their coach's comments, BCB made a surprising announcement saying that the precautionary measure had, in fact, received unanimous approval from all four participating teams in the Super 4 stage.
"A reserve day for India Pakistan contest in Super 11 Asia Cup Super 4 stage has been added that effectively revised the Asia Cup playing condition," BCB posted on their social media account 'X', formerly twitter.
"To clarify on the position, the decision was taken with the consent of all four participating teams and ACC," it added.
The Asian Cricket Council on Friday announced that the much-anticipated Indo-Pak clash could resume on Monday if the rain plays spoilsport on Sunday.
However, the other matches will not have a reserve day though rain is predicted in the Sri Lankan capital through the Super 4s.
But Hathurusingha was clearly miffed at the late decision to add a reserve day.
"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," he said on Friday at pre-match presser.
"Little surprised when I first heard," Sri Lanka coach Silverwood had said about ACC's decision to have different playing conditions.
The 'Rain God' had its say when the two teams initially clashed in the Asia Cup, resulting in a washout in their opening fixture at Pallekele on September 2.
Rain once again made an appearance during India's first international match against Nepal at the same venue.
However, this time, the rain was less persistent, permitting a 23-over chase, which India successfully navigated to secure Super Four berth.
Making mockery of the tournament: Prasad
Former India seamer Venkatesh Prasad, a very vocal social media critic of this current Indian team and the cricket board, also came out hard at the decision and termed it absolute "shamelessness" from the organisers.
"If true this is absolute shamelessness this. The organisers have made a mockery and it is unethical to have a tournament with rules being different for the other two teams.
"In the name of justice, will only be fair if it is abandoned the first day, may it rain harder on the second day and these malicious plans not succeed," Prasad posted on X.
In an advisory the ACC had on Friday stated that a reserve day was incorporated for the Asia Cup 2023 Super 4's match between Pakistan and India.
"If adverse weather suspends play during the Pakistan vs India game, the match will continue on 11th September 2023 from the point it was suspended," the statement added
"In such an eventuality, ticket-holders are advised to hold on to their match tickets which will remain valid and will be utilised for the reserve day," the advisory stated.
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PM Modi becomes most followed world leader on Instagram with 100 million followers
New Delh (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi has crossed the massive milestone of 100 million followers on Instagram, making him the first world leader and politician to achieve this feat on the platform, officials said on Thursday.
Prime Minister Modi joined Instagram in 2014, and over the past decade, his account has evolved into one of the most engaging digital spaces among global leaders, officials said.
Among major global leaders, Modi now has the highest number of Instagram followers. He has more than twice as many followers as US President Donald Trump on the social media platform.
The combined follower count of the next five major world leaders is still lower than Modi's individual total, officials said.
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US President Donald Trump holds the second spot with 43.2 million followers.
He is followed by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto with 15 million followers, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva with 14.4 million followers, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan with 11.6 million followers and Argentine President Javier Milei with 6.4 million followers.
This underlines Prime Minister Modi's unmatched global outreach and popularity among the youth across the world, officials noted.
In India, the gap in followers is significant, as Modi is far ahead of other Indian political leaders on Instagram.
The second spot is held by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath with approximately 16.1 million followers, followed by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi with approximately 12.6 million followers.
