BCB boss sets two conditions for domestic cricket return

Bangladesh Cricket Board president Nazmul Hasan has largely set two conditions in order for domestic cricket to start in the country. 

The BCB chief while speaking to the media Saturday at Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka stated firstly that the situation with the Covid-19 pandemic needs to improve, and that there should be a vaccine available for BCB to get cricket back to the field.

BCB has kept all forms of professional cricket activities in the country suspended since March this year due to the Covid-19 outbreak. 

The decision saw this year’s Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League get suspended following first round of matches, alongside postponement of several international series at home.

With no signs of cricket resuming in the country, doubts persist as to whether the Dhaka League will actually roll on the field, and if other scheduled domestic tournaments, including Bangladesh Premier League Twenty20, will see the light of day.

Currently a set of cricketers are allowed at the BCB facilities for individual practice sessions under special arrangements, and due to requests from the players themselves. 

Cricket’s regulatory body in the country is gearing to get the national team back to action with the tour of Sri Lanka from September-November, for a three-match Test series, part of the World Test Championship.

“The league can start after meeting two conditions. So far what I know is firstly, we need to see an improvement in the Covid-19 situation in the country and secondly, we should get the vaccine. We do not find it logical to start the leagues without meeting these conditions. There should be some logic at least,” said Nazmul.

“There are only a couple of countries who are trying to play cricket amid this Covid-19 situation. No other country has cricket happening except in England. I do not have a logical explanation to start domestic cricket just for the sake of showing courage,” the BCB boss added.

“The situation is similar with BPL T20. We will be able to start everything if the situation improves. We are not being able to start cricket here [in Bangladesh] but we are thinking to make the national team tour Sri Lanka because the situation there is far better compared to us.”

The cricketers, particularly in the domestic circuit, are being hurt financially with the leagues on hold. 

Cricketers' Welfare Association of Bangladesh and the cricketers have raised the issue to the board on several occasions.

“You are asking me [of cricketers’ financial losses] because I represent the board. But if you look around the country and the world, the situation is similar for everyone and there is nothing to do. Millions have lost their jobs, there is no income, and businesses are making loss. We are going through an uncertain period,” Nazmul explained.

“At this point we can only pray to get out from this situation. We can recover from this only when we have the vaccine available but that will also take time. We as the cricket board will see how we can stand for them [cricketers] during this crucial time.”

Death toll from the Covid-19 infection crossed 3,600 in Bangladesh as 34 more people died of the deadly virus in the last 24 hours. 

The country logged 2,644 fresh Covid-19 cases over the same period to take the tally to 274,000.