Tigers face prospect of playing Zim Test without a practice game?

The Bangladesh national cricket team have not had the best of preparations going into their recent tours of New Zealand and Sri Lanka and now face the prospect of playing the one-off Test match in Zimbabwe without a practice game under their belt.

The Tigers are scheduled to fly to Zimbabwe on June 29 for a full series with one Test on July 7 followed by three ODIs and two T20s. According to the initial schedule, Bangladesh are to play a two-day practice game at Bulawayo on July 3, but as things stand, the BCB will have to reduce the quarantine period in Zimbabwe if the Tigers are to play the practice game.

''From the information that we have, according to that there will be a general quarantine restriction of 5-7 days. That's how we are preparing at the moment,'' BCB CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury told the media today.

''No final decision has been made but if there is a change, we will accommodate accordingly,'' he added.

Under the current schedule, even if Bangladesh team quarantine for five days, they will be playing a practice match without any prior practice sessions in Zimbabwe. If BCB cannot manage a concession of quarantine period and there is a seven-day quarantine period for the Tigers, the team will be heading to the first Test without a practice game.

BCB CEO said that compromises might need to be made while replying to questions regarding cramming of international scheduling.

"The biggest challenge is the logistical and other arrangements within the quarantine during a tour. You have seen that in some cases even practice sessions had to be shortened. This is the reality. We are having to compromise on such issues and not only us but others are having to do it too," Nizamuddin said.

BCB officials had noted that all national cricketers will be available for the ongoing Bangabandhu Dhaka Premier Division T20 League, slated to be played till June 26th. Thus, if the two boards fail to agree upon a solution, Mominul and Co. face the reality of playing in their upcoming Test assignment, with domestic T20 cricket to prepare for the task.