Focus returns to cricket

Following a dramatic 72 hours, Bangladesh cricket finally returned to normalcy as the cricketers attended the first day of the national training camp at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur yesterday ahead of their upcoming tour of India.

All the coaching staff of the Tigers, including head coach Russell Domingo, spin bowling consultant Daniel Vettori and  pace bowling coach Charl Langeveldt were present on the opening day.

Apart from skipper Shakib Al Hasan, all members of the team were present. The cricketers looked relaxed and after a light warm-up, went directly to the indoor premises for skills training.

Bangladesh opening batsman Tamim Iqbal, who is recovering from a rib-cage injury, was also present yesterday although he did not take part in the training session. Tamimm did spend some time on the exercycle, and the state of his injury will be clearer after and MRI scan today. Imrul Kayes was there too as the left-hander is considered as a back-up option for Tamim, who may miss some part of the India series as his wife is expecting their second child at some point in November.

All eyes were on Vettori, who was appointed as the Tigers' new spin bowling consultant back in July this year. The former New Zealand skipper arrived in Bangladesh yesterday and went straight to the ground ahead of his first assignment. The 40-year-old spoke to the cricketers and conducted a net session alongside Domingo.

Meanwhile, left-arm spinner Arafat Sunny, who was picked in Bangladesh's T20 side after three years, informed that he is looking forward to taking up the challenge on his comeback and also added that he would try to get most of the Bangladesh's new spin consultant, who was one of the best left-arm spinners to play the game, in the coming days.

"Obviously, it feels good as I played my last T20I in India after an issue with my bowling action, and now I am making a comeback through the India series. It's a challenge for me to prove my worth and I definitely have a plan, if I have to contain runs and bowl wicket to wicket, I am looking forward to implementing my plan if I get the opportunity.

"As a left-arm spinner, I always followed his [Vettori's] bowling as he was a great spinner. He has vast experience in international cricket and he is also working in the Indian Premier League, so I will try to learn from him in the coming days," Sunny told the media yesterday.