For a professional cricketer, staying away from the field is one of toughest jobs in the world.
The growing concerns over coronavirus, like around the globe, has affected sports in Bangladesh too.
The cricketers have been staying at home ever since Bangladesh Cricket Board suspended all its activities last month for indefinite time and advised all its players to stay at home as per directive of the government.
The situation is not pleasant but one thing that the quarantine period has allowed these cricketers is spending some rare and quality family time.
International cricket runs throughout the year and occasions have been many when a cricketer has to put the team’s interests ahead of the family’s.
Bangladesh ODI captain Tamim Iqbal believes the time being spent at home is helping him build stronger bond with his children, Arham Iqbal and Alishba Iqbal.
“Being a professional cricketer, we have to sacrifice a lot when it comes to family. When things were normal, I personally did not get enough time to spend with the kids and family. Though the situation [coronavirus outbreak] is not ideal, staying at home is giving me enough time to spend with family and allowing the bonding to get firmer with my two kids,” said Tamim to Dhaka Tribune Saturday.
“Day starts with some running on the treadmill, the remaining I spend with family. A lot of time is also spent watching Netflix to be honest. With that said, this is not a normal life for any of us and I will hope that situation normalizes soon and that we can get back to our usual routine,” the left-handed opening batsman added.
As for Bangladesh T20I captain Mahmudullah, he is being able to help his son, Raeed, with studies.
The all-rounder emphasized on doing different things everyday so that the quarantine days don’t get boring.
“Spending time in quarantine is difficult to explain but Alhamdulillah I am healthy so far along with my family members. It has been tough, specially staying away from cricket, that’s the most difficult thing probably, and it must be the same for all cricketers. No matter what happens in your life, as a cricketer you always try to spend your time in the field with bat and ball. I am missing cricket a lot but having said that, we cannot do anything about it at the moment,” said Mahmudullah.
“We just need to stay calm and patient, strictly follow the rules that have been set by the administration. Life has been good in a sense that I am getting to spend a lot of time with family. Especially with my kid as I am getting to do a lot of things with him. Helping him with his studies. I have not spent enough time since he started going to school. His mother always looks after those things but now that I am home, I am trying to look after those things, and trying to help him. Coloring and drawing are other activities which I am trying to keep my son busy with. Playing different games with family members.
“One important thing is, we cannot let ourselves get bored doing the same things everyday. We just need to find ways of doing different things everyday, add a new flavor. Reading books is a very good option during this time. It can be any kind of book – can be religious or a story book or a book of your child. Life has been good thus far but I hope the situation will get better and everyone stays safe and healthy,” he added.
For opener Soumya Sarkar, the experience is different having got married in February this year.
The left-handed batsman informed that he is helping his wife, Priyonti Debnath Puja, with work at home and at the same time, making sure to follow a fitness regime, though it cannot match the load he usually takes when on field or a gym.
“Day starts with some fitness work at home. Sometimes with stretch band or some drill in the stairs. The best thing now is I am able to spend some time with family, and help wife with day to day activities. It is almost 18 days that we are staying at home so naturally it puts pressure on wife to handle all work at home, let it be with cleaning or helping her in the kitchen while she is cooking. Cutting vegetables,” said Soumya.
“We sometimes go to the terrace and fly kite if there is not many people around. So passing the days this way and it has become a routine as there is nothing much to do. Important thing is such situations is to remain happy. Frustration might kick in being locked at home for such a long time so we make sure that our mood is not swinging,” he added.
