The upcoming series between hosts Bangladesh U-19 and visitors Pakistan U-19 is relying on directives from the authority after Bangladesh government Saturday declared a week-long countrywide lockdown.
With rising number in cases of Covid-19, the government imposed a seven-day lockdown starting from Monday.
Bangladesh Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader announced the decision Saturday.
Under such circumstances, the Bangladesh Cricket Board will wait on advice from the authority with regards to hosting Pakistan U-19 later this month.
As per schedule, visiting Pakistan U-19 team are scheduled to reach Dhaka on April 12 and immediately transfer to Sylhet, the host city for the series.
The touring team members in Sylhet are scheduled to be in four-day quarantine under the Covid-19 protocol before being allowed for the training sessions.
“The management will come to a decision (on the series) following directives from the government. The time has not yet come to take a decision. The series will not go ahead if there is bar from the authority,” said BCB game development manager AEM Kawser Saturday.
Pakistan U19 team will be in four-day quarantine under Covid-19 protocol in Sylhet before being allowed for the training sessions
Posted by Sports Tribune on Sunday, 28 March 2021
“They (Bangladesh U-19 team) were scheduled to start the camp from Tuesday to prepare for the series against Pakistan U-19. The players are currently at their home. There is no point in having a camp if the series gets cancelled. We are currently waiting for a detailed direction,” the BCB official added.
Kawser further informed that the board will assess the situation themselves before coming to a decision on the future of the series.
Pakistan U-19 team are set to become the first country to resume age-group level tours since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The recent development of the pandemic in Bangladesh however, has now put the possibility in jeopardy.
As per the itinerary, Sylhet International Cricket Stadium is scheduled to host the lone four-day game, along with the first three 50-over matches of the series.
The last two youth ODIs will be played at Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka.
The four-day game will begin on April 19.
The five youth ODIs will be played on April 26, 28, 30, May 3 and 5 respectively.
