The first phase of training amid the Covid-19 pandemic arranged by Bangladesh Cricket Board ended Tuesday.
The individual training session had initially started with the participation of 10 cricketers on July 19 but by the end saw 13 cricketers working on their fitness and skill at four venues across the country.
The arrangement is being considered as BCB’s first step towards resumption of cricket in the country as it remains suspended since March due to the novel coronavirus outbreak.
The move by the cricket regulatory body of the country though had come following requests from the cricketers to allow them the use of the facilities.
Out of favor national wicketkeeper-batsman Nurul Hasan was among the cricketers who joined the sessions in Khulna’s Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium from day one.
According to the right-handed batsman, the common feeling among the cricketers is that they cannot get to the field straightaway, but that this is a hopeful start.
“The arrangement was to the point I felt. It was a good opportunity in itself that we got to go to the field after a long break [of four months]. Of course the enthusiasm among us is not at the same level compared to when we practice with a team, but considering the situation this was the best that could be arranged, and I am happy to have been able to come to the field and get the rustiness off. We are not expecting everything to get normal right away but this can be the first step to resumption,” said Nurul to Dhaka Tribune Tuesday.
Since March this year, Bangladesh has postponed five bilateral series and saw major events like the Asia Cup Twenty20 and World T20I get called off this year.
As far as domestic cricket is concerned, BCB had suspended the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League, a major bread earner for the cricketers who rely on playing in the domestic circuit.
Nurul believes the setup of individual practice sessions has encouraged many cricketers to take to the field, and there will be a rise in numbers after Eid-ul-Adha vacation in the hope that the game would get back to the field soon.
“We are told that this setup might be there even after Eid vacation. That way we can hope that slowly the game would also return to its place. The situation [with Covid-19] seemed very critical and everything looked very uncertain. But as you can see now life is getting back to normal, people are courageous enough to fight the situation that we are in, going out of home and doing regular business. So this actually is building hope [in cricketers] that soon we will get to see the game return to the field in a few months’ time,” said Nurul.
“I have heard more cricketers will join this BCB arrangement after Eid vacation, this shows the intention of the cricketers, they are willing to slowly get back to normal. And then other countries slowly returning to the game is also encouraging. Though there might be difference in terms of dealing with the situation and measures, but still these are encouraging signs that we can also get back to action,” he added.