DHAKA,—The Sri Lanka is yet to respond on the standard health protocol, which created an impasse in Bangladesh’s tour there for a three-match Test series. The series is the part of the ICC World Test Championship.
Bangladesh is keeping its finger crossed positively though as they hope that the issue will be finalized within a couple of weeks.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) CEO Nizam Uddin Chowdhury said they were informed that Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has good discussion with the authorities and things will be sorted out very soon.
“We have already discussed a number of issues with Sri Lanka Cricket. We have given a statement as the time of the tour was approaching. After that there was no discussion,” Nizam Uddin Chowdhury said here today.
As per Sri Lanka’s standard health protocol, Bangladesh would have to stay quarantine for 14 days strictly to which the BCB showed their reluctance as they demanded for a seven-day quarantine with practice facility.
“The Sri Lankan Cricket has informed us that they have raised our issues with the concerned authorities and there has been a positive meeting. We hope to get guidance or health protocol from them in the next couple of days. They said that a good discussion had taken place. It would not be appropriate to comment on this until the outcome or protocol is available,” he added.
The CEO also said that if the tour happens, spin bowling coach Daniel Vettori would have to come to Bangladesh. As per earlier plan, Vettori was supposed to go to Sri Lanka directly from New Zealand.
“If he comes, he will have to come here directly. It is difficult to go directly to Colombo but we can’t talk about his issue now because we are yet to get any health protocol,” he said.
Meanwhile, the CEO said Bangladesh will try to appoint a batting coach very soon after Craig McMillan declined to take the role because of his father’s death.
“McMillan said he was not mentally prepared for the current situation. For now, it is not possible for him to take charge in this series. It will be too early for us to make a decision right now. Looking at his alternatives, we will try to appoint a batting consultant for the national team as soon as possible,” he remarked.
