‘The boys want to play’

Abahani Limited coach Khaled Mahmud said that his players wanted to play despite the ongoing threat of COVID-19.

"I have talked to the boys and they said they wanted to play. I know that the threat of coronavirus remains but the boys will be safer here in the academy than outside," Mahmud told reporters following Abahani's practice at the BCB's Academy Ground in Mirpur today.

Just as the major sporting leagues and fixtures around the world have come to a halt, all kinds of sporting activities in the country were also postponed till March 31 due to the coronavirus pandemic. The State Minister for Youth and Sports Zahid Ahsan Russel said through a press release after a meeting with officials of different federations at the secretariat yesterday that all sporting activities should be postponed.

Following the directive, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) also informed through a press release yesterday that the second-round fixtures of the ongoing Bangabandhu Dhaka Premier League (BDPL) have been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

"Basically, the month of Ramadan is coming up and it will be a factor in completing the matches properly. But since it's a government directive, it will have to be given importance," Mahmud said.

He was of the opinion that the players were better off living close by instead of leaving for their hometowns. "I don't want to let the boys leave since if we let them go, they will want to leave for their hometowns and use public transportation. How safe is that? Let's see what the board decides and the matches can begin again."

National team players such as Mushfiqur Rahim, Liton Das, Mohammad Naim, Mohammad Saifuddin and Taijul Islam are playing for Abahani this season. Mushfiqur Rahim had earlier said that he was still getting used to the idea of keeping his hands away from his mouth. Players were seen hugging each other during celebrations in a few matches like the Prime Bank vs Gazi Group match yesterday at Mirpur.

A few of the players were also seen using hand sanitizers during the game yesterday. "The offices are ongoing and haven't closed down and there are a lot of people working. So since there haven't been anything scary…it's not like cricket is contact sport. The premier league does not have many audiences. Only 100 to 150 people arrive. They sit far in the galleries and can't come to the players. If we take particular measures and also get government permission, then we can start the matches again," he said.