The conduct of the Bangladesh Tour of Sri Lanka 2020 is in doubt because of the strict health guidelines imposed due to COVID-19 and may be rescheduled again, ThePapare.com learns.
According to BCB Chief Executive Nizamuddin Chowdhury, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has requested the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) for a 7-day quarantine period after the tourists land on Sri Lanka.
“We’re communicating with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) on a regular basis. They are trying to reduce the number of days for the quarantine as much as possible, and trying to make it tolerable for our players. In our last communication with them, SLC told us that we have to be in quarantine for the first seven days after arrival, after which the players can go ahead with the training schedule. We believe that if it remains seven days of quarantine, we can proceed according to our plans. [But] I think we should wait for feedback from SLC before making any further comment,” Chowdhury said.
The tour was already shifted once from July to August because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Bangladesh team is expected to travel to Sri Lanka on September 27th for the three-Test series that is scheduled to start from October 24th for now. However, SLC has not released the official schedule for the Test series.
Chowdhury stated, “I don’t think they are making any intentional delay. They will communicate with us what they will get from the Government after communicating with their Health Ministry. They are now trying for that. They are working on it. Hopefully, we will get to know from them within the next two to three days.”
He also hinted of a possible rescheduling of the tour, as SLC is still in the process of obtaining permission from Health Ministry and planning the bio-bubble for the touring party, which is a new challenge for the home Cricket board.
“As they are the hosts, many things depend on them. It’s a new normal for them and for all of us as well. The tour will be held after a month. Their Government has to assess it for one month or more days before the series. They have to handle it as per the situation of their country. It’s not an easy task for them. We expect to hear from them in the next two or three days. We might need to make some minor adjustments to our plans and that is understandable, and I don’t think it will have a big impact as we are preparing accordingly,” Chowdhury added.
BCB has plans to arrive in Sri Lanka with the Test squad and another squad including high-performance players – a total squad of about 30-35 players, o that they can conduct practice matches before the Test series.
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