The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has decided to minimize crowds at the ongoing two-match T20I series between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe at Mirpur’s Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium by selling only one ticket per person.
The BCB has taken the measure as a precaution against the spread of coronavirus strain COVID-19.
“We have decided to sell only one ticket per person during the two T20’s against Zimbabwe. The government has directed us to discourage public gatherings and we have taken this initiative as a result,’’ BCB Chief Executive Officer Nizamuddin Chowdhury told the media at the stadium Monday.
#Coronavirus outbreak: PM instructs to avoid #massgatherings https://t.co/DCdytvKpNV
— DhakaTribune (@DhakaTribune) March 9, 2020
The board hopes the initiative will restrict the crowd at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium to one fifth of its capacity. Bangladesh’s home of cricket in Mirpur can hold 25,000 spectators.
Following the BCB’s move to restrict ticket sales, concerns have been raised over whether the coronavirus situation will disrupt the board’s plans to celebrate the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The BCB had planned to hold a concert involving renowned musician AR Rahman on March 18, followed by two T20Is between Asia XI and World XI on March 20 and 21, respectively.
All of the events were to be held at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
#Tigers look to continue dominance in #Zimbabwe #T20Is https://t.co/hLIpx95FBj
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) March 8, 2020
“We will speak to the government about it [the birth centenary celebrations]. The direction from the government came only [on Sunday]. At this point things are moving as planned, but because there is concern from the government we will monitor the situation closely and follow the government’s decision,” Nizamuddin said.
Bangladesh on Sunday was rocked with the announcement of the first cases of COVID-19 in the country. Three people tested positive for the virus, with two of the infected having recently returned from Italy.
