Australia to arrive today amid strict Covid protocols

Australia are all set to land in Dhaka today to take part in the first-ever bilateral T20I series against the Bangladesh national cricket team, scheduled to take place in between August 3 to 9. On the same day the Tigers will also reach Dhaka following a successful month-long tour of Zimbabwe. 

It was back in 2017 when the Aussies last toured Bangladesh to take part in the two-match Test series in which the Tigers registered their historic, maiden win in the longest format and levelled the series 1-1. So far the two teams faced each other four times in the shortest format where all the matches were part of the ICC event.

Australia is travelling to Bangladesh following a Covid-19 scare from their tour of West Indies where one of the staff from West Indies tested positive, leading to the suspension of the second one-day international in Barbados. However, resumption quickly took place after all 152 people involved in the series returned negative Covid-19 test results. Meanwhile, Cricket Australia have given quite a few strict health protocol requirements which the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is ready to fulfil for the safety of the players and officials of both the teams. 

"They [Cricket Australia] have requested us for a quick completion of formalities with minimum officials [local] around them in the airport upon arrival. We are arranging that in the best way possible," said BCB CEO Nizamuddin. 

BCB is confident of hosting Australia after successfully hosting two international series at home -- West Indies in January and Sri Lanka in May -- and also two domestic tournaments amid the pandemic. 

"You see, having already arranged two international series [against West Indies and Sri Lanka] amid the pandemic, we have the experience to address the areas that we strictly need to follow in order to complete the series [against Australia] successfully. 

"But still if there is any situation of a positive [Covid-19] case [inside the teams], the two boards [BCB and CA] will discuss and find a solution to complete the series," Nizamuddin added. 

The five T20Is between Bangladesh and Australia will be played behind closed doors at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on August 3, 4, 6, 7 and 9 respectively, where the first match of the series is scheduled to begin from 6 pm.