The Bangladesh national team and “A” team squads began their fitness training yesterday ahead of the three-match T20 Challenge Series between the sides starting tomorrow. Tigers head coach Shane Jurgensen expressed his satisfaction over the fitness level of the players on the day and also added that the Challenge series will be great help to the cricketers.
However, the return of Shakib al Hasan in a competitive match will be delayed as the all-rounder, preparing for his marriage reception ceremony, is on leave till December 15. Newly married Marshal Ayub also missed the opening day of training, but he will join the “A” team today.
“The test mainly focuses on the cricketers fitness and it assess either any cricketers is suffering from injury or not where we can identify from the test and I am happy as there was no injury problem on the camp,” said Jurgensen after the day’s session at Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium (SBNS).
Jurgensen suggested the Challenge series will benefit the cricketers who have not played enough of the format. “We have not played any T20 game for some time and I think the three T20 matches of the series will help the cricketers to adopt the format at the same time the boys will prepare themselves for the upcoming Sri Lanka series,” he said.
Tamim Iqbal’s return after a thigh strain was something the Tigers were looking forward to and Jurgensen was happy with the effort the opener put in. “Tamim is working hard in the fitness test and I think he has given his best today (yesterday). He has been working for last one week and I think this is a good sign for the team,” said the Australian.
Earlier the fitness camp was originally scheduled for Sunday, but the Bangladesh Cricket Board delayed it by a day due to the strike in the capital. The first T20 match of the Challenge series was also deferred by a day and it will now be played tomorrow instead of today at SBNS. The remaining matches will be played on December 12 and 14 respectively at the same venue.