Normal service to resume
For the past few days, there were doubts over whether Bangladesh's tour of India, starting from November 3, would go ahead. Following three-day strike, the cricketers found an agreeable resolution with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). The board agreed to nine of their initial 11-point demand -- with the two points that were added on last day of the protest left for further discussion -- on Wednesday.
While over the last few days newspapers were expected to be filled with updates regarding Bangladesh's upcoming tour of India -- featuring a three-match T20I series and a two-match Test series -- the unprecedented event of the strike had halted all national cricketing activities and grabbed all the focus.
And after such an event, it may take a bit more time for the nation's cricket to get back to complete normalcy. However, normal operation will resume when the national cricketers start their camp -- originally scheduled for October 23, today, ahead of the India tour at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.
Newly appointed spin consultant Daniel Vettori is set to join the camp and begin his 100-day tenure today, while head coach Russell Domingo is expected to be available in two to three days.
Meanwhile, the BCB has confirmed that all-rounder Mohammad Saifuddin has been ruled out of the India tour with a recurring back injury.
"Due to a reoccurring back injury, Saifuddin will be rested from the India tour this year, giving him an opportunity to consolidate his recovery over a longer period of time. He now will also have the opportunity to spend more time strengthening his body and his situation will be reviewed by the medical team again in the upcoming weeks for further updates," Bangladesh physiotherapist Julian Calefato was quoted as saying in a BCB media release.
However, BCB selector Habibul Bashar informed that the team management has not decided if there will be a replacement of the 22-year-old for the India tour.
"The team management is yet to decide if there will be a replacement for Saifuddin. There are already three pacers in the [T20I] squad and the team management will sit in two to three days to decide if another pacer or a player is needed to replace him," Bashar said yesterday.
Bangladesh star opener Tamim Iqbal may also miss out on some part of the India tour due to a family emergency.
"It will clearer in two or three days [whether he plays or not]. It's what I have been hearing and nothing is decided yet. If he doesn't go then someone else will. Whether he will be able to play is the main thing. However, we always have backup," informed BCB cricket operations chairman Akram Khan yesterday.
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