‘Some players were even thinking of returning to country midway through NZ series’

The extended quarantine period has taken a huge toll on the Bangladesh players on their current tour of New Zealand for a two-Test series, starting on January 1 next year. And according to Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Nazmul Hassan, this has led to some players even pondering a return to the country midway through the series. 

"In fact, some players were even wondering about coming back to the country," said Hassan following a board meeting at the BCB headquarters in Mirpur today. 

The current New Zealand tour of Bangladesh has run into some turbulence after Bangladesh spin bowling coach Rangana Herath tested positive for Covid-19 in Christchurch. A few of the Bangladesh team members have also come in contact with a Covid-patient on their flight to New Zealand from Bangladesh. 

And such incidents have seen the country's Ministry of Health impose an extended period of room quarantine on Bangladesh players and staff members. 

The BCB president also explained the reason behind players' apparent exhaustion. 

"Our players are going through a very tough time. They have been in quarantine for many days. They played two series [against Australia and New Zealand] while being in quarantine, then they spent a long time in quarantine during the World Cup. After that, they entered bio-bubble for the Pakistan series and just the day after that series ended, they left for New Zealand.

"Even if they [players] return from New Zealand on the scheduled date, they probably will have to prepare for BPL, which we were planning to start from January 15 next year. And Afghanistan are scheduled to arrive in the country [for three ODIs and two T20Is] on the day BPL was supposed to end. That means players would once again have to enter bio-bubble. Then just after the Afghanistan series, cricketers will have to tour South Africa [for three ODIs and two Tests in March-April next year]. And it does not end here as the players will have continuous engagements till December next year," added Hassan. 

Hassan, however, later added that despite going through a tough period in New Zealand, coming back from the tour is not an option for the players. 

The extended quarantine period in Christchurch has disrupted the usual tour plans of Bangladesh. The Tigers will undergo Covid-19 tests on December 21 and the results of that test will determine if the cricketers would have to stay in quarantine for more days. 

And even though today's BCB meeting was originally meant to set the dates and time for the upcoming Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), the board has opted to wait till getting a final update about the Bangladesh team from New Zealand.