MUMBAI: India’s cricket board on Wednesday said fireworks at the ongoing ICC World Cup matches in Mumbai and New Delhi will be banned due to hazardous pollution levels.

The hosts will take on Sri Lanka at Mum­bai’s Wankhede Stadium on Thursday.

But concerns about air quality dominated news in the commercial capital of India, forcing the Board of Control for Cricket in India to take action.

“BCCI is sensitive to environmental concerns. I took up the matter formally with the ICC and there won’t be any fireworks display in Mumbai, which can add to the pollution level,” secretary Jay Shah said in a statement.

“The BCCI acknowledges the urgent concern surrounding air quality in both Mumbai and New Delhi. While we strive to host the World Cup in a manner befitting the celebration of cricket, we remain steadfast in our commitment to prioritising the health and safety of all our stakeholders.”

According to India’s National Air Quality Index, air in Mumbai was “poor” when the team started training at 18.30 local time. The concentration in Mumbai was four times above the recommended limit advised by the World Health Organisation.

Published in Dawn, November 2nd, 2023