Uncertainty looms large over Tigers’ Sri Lanka tour
Image : Collected
|| CF Correspondent ||
Bangladesh Cricket Team’s tour in Sri Lanka became uncertain because of the inability of the hosts to release the official itinerary along with the bio-bubble plans for the Test series.
Originally, Bangladesh were scheduled to tour in Sri Lanka in July-August for the series but it was postponed indefinitely due to highly contagious coronavirus pandemic.
Later, the two cricket boards mutually decided to reschedule the series in October. As per the current plans, Bangladesh are expected to travel to the island nation on September 27 for the series which comprises three Tests, starting from October 24.
It’s learnt that Sri Lanka’s National Health and Security agency (NHSA) urged Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) to ensure that the visiting side will complete a 14-day mandatory quarantine after arriving in the islands without any provision of training during the time frame.
BCB claimed that they were given the impression earlier they will have the opportunity to train and play intrasquad games before the Test series kicks off in October while they serve their quarantine period.
Therefore, the BCB had decided to travel to Sri Lanka with an extended squad and its High Performance (HP) on September 27. Along with that, they’re willing to foot the bills of their accommodation.
Bangladesh will carry an extended squad from where a final squad for the Test series was due to be pruned after the conclusion of their intra-squad games.
But all look doubtful right now with the insistence of NHSA, who suggested SLC to confine them to their hotel premises only before the end of the quarantine period.
Regarding the overall matter of the tour, BCB director and its Cricket Operations Chairman Akram Khan said, “We’ve heard a lot of other things through different sources.”
“But they’re not clearing the picture by coming up with their official bio-bubble plan and itinerary. We’ll take the final decision regarding the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka only after we receive their plans and the schedule,” Akram told media.
