Bangladesh all set to return to int'l cricket

International cricket is set to return to Bangladesh as Cricket West Indies (CWI) confirmed their tour of the country in January next. A media release from Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Tuesday confirmed the schedule which is going to Bangladesh’s first international since Covid-19 pandemic has postponed all the international matches here.

As per the schedule the Caribbean side is set to reach Dhaka on January 10. Following a week-long quarantine the visitors will play a one-day warm-up game before taking on hosts Bangladesh in the three-match ODI series. The first two matches of the series will be played at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on January 20 and 22 while the third will be played at Chattogram’s Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium on January 25.

Following the ODI series, West Indies will play a four-day warm-up game before facing Bangladesh in the first of the two-match Test series scheduled to start on February 7 at ZACS.

The second and the final Test of the series will be played in Dhaka from February 11.

Bangladesh initially were schedule to host West Indies for three Tests and as many ODIs and a two-match T20I series. However, series of discussion between CWI and BCB after a CWI delegation’s visit to Dhaka earlier this month to assess the arrangement resulted a shortened series.

The Tests are part of ICC Test Championship and according BCB chief executive officer Nizamuddin Chowdhury omitting one Test will not affect the points system.

 “It will not affect the points as the championship points will be calculated on a two-match series. Regarding T20I, we are in discussion and we will have the series at a suitable time for both the boards,” said Nizamuddin to the media on Tuesday.

Members of the West Indies team will have to carry Covid-19 negative reports before travelling to Bangladesh and remain in seven-day quarantine in hotel after reaching Dhaka. The visitors will undergo their first Covid-19 test in Dhaka on the third day of quarantine and negative results will allow them to practice in the Mirpur nets but within themselves. Only after completion of the seven day quarantine local net bowlers and support will be provided for the West Indies contingent.

Bangladesh last played international cricket in February this year when the side hosted Zimbabwe at home. Covid-19 pandemic saw the game get suspended in March and return in October through a three-team BCB President’s Cup one-day cricket tournament.

 Later, BCB played arranged a five-team all-local T20 tournament of which the final will be held between Gemcon Khulna and Gazi Group Chattogram on Friday. In both the tournament’s the team and match officials were kept under a bio secured bubble.