Tough times await BCB
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and Cricket Ireland (CI) agreed to postpone their bilateral upcoming series due to the coronavirus pandemic, CI announced in a press release yesterday.
Bangladesh were scheduled to play three ODIs in Ireland and four T20Is in England during the series from May 14 to May 29.
"Once the scale of the COVID-19 pandemic was understood, and the advice of both governments and partner boards was sought, it became increasingly unlikely that this series could proceed as scheduled. We have a responsibility to protect the well-being of players, coaches, fans and the wider community, and will not hesitate to take a safety-first approach to our operations over coming months," Warren Deutrom, Chief Executive of Cricket Ireland was quoted as saying in the press release.
"We will continue monitoring the situation, and will liaise as necessary with relevant sports bodies, public health agencies and our stakeholders here and abroad, and provide further updates on the home season in due course."
Ireland were scheduled to arrange their four-match T20I series against Bangladesh, starting from May 22 to May 29, at neutral venues in England. This would have been the first time Ireland arranged a series at a neutral venue. However, England has postponed all cricket till May 28.
Bangladesh were originally scheduled to play one Test, only the second Test match in Ireland, on the tour but that fixture was converted to a T20I in December last year citing "financial constraints".
Earlier yesterday, BCB CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury had informed that they were expecting Cricket Ireland to communicate their decision soon.
"Cricket Ireland will take any decision regarding this as they are the hosts. Already we are in touch with them. As England has taken a step regarding this, maybe Ireland will make their stance clear to us very soon," concluded Nizamuddin.
Sporting events worldwide are in disarray and Bangladesh has also seen international events in football, archery, golf, volleyball, cricket, basketball and cycling postponed while the cricket team tour to Pakistan has also been postponed.
Bangladesh were scheduled to host Australia for two Tests in June following the Ireland series and although it is too early to make statements regarding that series, the BCB still need to make a contingency plan if the situation does not improve. Like many other sporting bodies, the BCB will also have a tough time scheduling and planning future events.
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