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'They are Toothless and...': Former SL Captain 'Blasts' ICC and ACC over Asia Cup Scheduling

image-lmlw6fu3India-Pakistan game had a reserve day [AP Photo]

In a recent media interaction, the former Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga accused ICC and ACC of becoming spineless against the likes of powerful cricketing bodies. 

ACC’s decision to add a reserve day to the India-Pakistan clash did not sit well with the Sri Lankan legend. He was visibly upset and voiced his frustration over the governing body’s decision to not include a reserve day for the remaining Super 4 fixtures amidst heavy rains in Sri Lanka.

Moreover, this last-minute change in the schedule was made with the consent of all four participating teams. Highly renowned for his outspoken personality, Ranatunga criticized Sri Lanka and Bangladesh cricket boards for agreeing to comply with the reserve day requirement for the solitary India-Pakistan clash.

As per the latest reports, Ranatunga was observed saying that the ICC and ACC have become powerless against powerful boards that have succeeded in exerting pressure on them. He further emphasized that the onus of controlling the game should rest on the governing body and not on the shoulders of any country or cricketing board.

“I don’t know whether the ICC is acting today or whether we have ICC. They always say ICC is the toothless tiger. They act in a very unprofessional way. I think they are the ones who should look at cricket and protect cricket. Ultimately, cricket should be controlled by the ICC, not by a country or an individual.”

Furthermore, the 59-year-old also questioned the Sri Lankan players over their silence on ACC’s biased decision that favored preferential treatment to the big-ticket fixture. Meanwhile, Arjuna Ranatunga was not the only sports personality to express his discontent with the ACC. 

Other cricketing icons like Venkatesh Prasad have also come forward and voiced their frustration over ACC’s unfair decision to include a reserve day solely for the India-Pakistan clash.