National team players wary of risks of hasty return to cricket
Bangladesh cricketers are currently spending an anxious time at home, mostly focusing on fitness as they wait for the coronavirus pandemic to end and for cricket to return. The frustration and agony has peaked, but it does not seem things will change for the better anytime soon.
The common sentiment among the majority of the national team players, despite suffering financially, is that life is above all else.
There has been no cricketing activity in Bangladesh since mid-March and five bilateral series have already been postponed.
Test skipper Mominul Haque, says it is a similar challenge to what they face on thefield .
"We are going through a difficult phase in our lives. We never sat at home for such a long time without cricket. It is a huge challenge mentally. I can compare this to what we face in cricket matches," Mominul told The Daily Star.
As there are few teams around the world that have resumed training by ensuring safety measures, the question that is starting to arise is when the BCB will take an initiative.
Mominul will follow whatever the board decides. "Look, we are under the BCB and whatever the board decides, we will follow. As our guardians, the board will definitely keep players' safety in mind."
ODI captain Tamim Iqbal was, however, reluctant to comment when asked about when cricketers should return to the field.
According to majority of national players, since there is no scheduled cricket until the Asia Cup in September, it is pointless to risk lives by returning from their homes in case the BCB decides to conduct a residential training camp.
Women cricketers are in a similar situation. T20 skipper Salma Khatun was waiting for the situation to improve. "I am eager to return to the field but for that to happen, the situation in our country must improve. I am sure the BCB is thinking about it. Whatever it decide, we will follow," Salma said.
There is a different opinion prevailing among a portion of domestic players though. Not as financially solvent as the national players, they are keen to return to the field to earn their living as the Dhaka Premier League was postponed after the first round due to the pandemic.
Comments