|| CF DESK ||

Bangladesh national team cricketers trained in the newly installed tracks at the Bangabandhu National Stadium (BNS) for fitness training ahead of their upcoming T20I series against Zimbabwe.

Cricket returned to the venue for the first time in 19 years since the country's cricket had moved to the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in 2005.

Shahriar Nafees, former cricketer and assistant manager of BCB's cricket management department, was present at the historical stadium, and recalled his old memories.

"It feels good to be back at the Bangabandhu Stadium. My interest in sports and learning by watching sports is all centered around this stadium. I still remember coming to this ground for the first time probably in 1993 or 1994. As Farooq (Ahmed) Bhai was the captain of the national team. The game started in this field after seeing the iconic players of Bangladesh," said Nafees.

The training began at early in the morning on Saturday. The cricketers held a mild running session in the new 400m track and then did a 40m sprint.

Afterward, they returned to the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur for the next part of their training.

This fitness drill was conducted with the Tigers' busy upcoming schedule in mind, as Bangladesh is scheduled to participate in eight Tests, three ODIs, and at least 18 T20Is over the next seven months.

The series begins against Zimbabwe with the first match on May 3 at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chattogram. The second and third T20I will also held in the same venue. 

The last two matches will be shifted to Sher e Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Mirpur.