MD ABU TALHA SARKER: Tigers’ Test captain Mominul Haque, T20 captain Mahmudullah Riyad, and pacer Mustafizur Rahman coupled with some other players are expected to join the second phase of the individual practice session that will start in the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium (SBNCS) in Mirpur tomorrow after over weeklong Eid-ul-Adha vacation.
The training session in all venues will begin at 9:00 am. This time BCB has prepared a six-day schedule for the players. A total of 23 players will take part in the opening day session. Dhaka phase will start with wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim.
Pace bowler Mustafizur Rahman, who was in his home village in Satkhira for the lockdown for the COVID-19, returned to Dhaka on Friday to join the ongoing individual practice session. It is learned from BCB source that Mustafiz will not join this time around despite being confirmed because he has to do some works before joining the session.
Test captain MominulHaque, who celebrated Eid in Dhaka with his family, went to Cox’s Bazar after holy Eid-ul-Adha from where he is also slated to return to the capital city from his home district Cox’s Bazar to join the session.
On the other hand, T20 captain MahmudullahRiyad, who informally started individual practice since Wednesday, will also join the second phase. Riyad is seen to hone his batting at the SBNCS before joining the existing practice module.
BCB Cricket Operations Chairman Akram Khan said they are expecting more players to join the second phase of the individual training programme.
“Mominul and Mustafiz have already confirmed their participation in the second stage practice module,” said Akram.
“We don’t know how many players will finally join the individual training session that is going to start tomorrow (Saturday) but so far as I know
Mominul and Mustafizur showed their interests to join the second phase session,” said Akram Khan who looks after the overall programme.
“We’ve designed the practice module in such a way that everybody can capitalise it to make them fit and sound for the next phase of practice for competitive cricket, and that’s our ultimate target,” Khan also said.
“We’re observing the situation because the coronavirus situation in the country hasn’t come under control yet. We’re keen to start group practice as soon as possible,” he added.
Still there are some other national players including Liton Kumar Das, Soumya Sarkar, Mohammad Saifuddin, Abu Jayed Chowdhury Rahi, Rubel Hossain, Ebadot Hossain Chowdhury, Shadman Islam Anik, Sabbir Rahman, Al Amin Hossain, Amin Islam Biplob who will also join.
But ODI captain Tamim Iqbal and Mashrafe Bin Mortaza can’t take part before mid-August because they have their respective problems.
Tamim, who recently returned to the country from London after receiving medical checkup for his severe intestinal pain, remained in self-quarantine since then.
Mashrafe, on the other hand, who was diagnosed with coronavirus, also remained in-home quarantine. He wanted to join the first phase but the positive result in coronavirus dented his hopes.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) made their preparations disinfecting the potential areas, pitches, and grounds at the National Cricket Academy, gymnasium, and Mirpur Indoors. The authorities requested their groundsmen and security not to go home for Eid vacation keeping the coronavirus infection in mind.
Initially, a total of 10 players registered their names to have individual practice but only four turned up for the first phase session but the number of the participating players reached 14 across the country’s five designated venues.
The players held their practice sessions maintaining the standard safety rules and health protocol at those venues in Dhaka, Sylhet, Khulna, Rajshahi, and Chattogram.
