The Bangladesh cricket team on tour of New Zealand have finally been able to get down to some activities after all members of the unit tested negative of Covid-19.
The players, in groups of seven, Wednesday were allowed to avail the gym inside the hotel premises.
Bangladesh team reached Christchurch on February 25 and were on strict room quarantine in the first seven days.
The team underwent three Covid-19 tests, and have come negative in all of them.
Bangladesh batsman Mohammad Mithun cited relief in finally being able to do some activities after passing the tough quarantine protocol.
“For the past few days there was a lot of restriction on our movement but things are getting back to normal slowly. We have gotten the option to start gym (Wednesday) after a week,” said Mithun to the media Wednesday.
“We are excited since staying inside the house is difficult and there is not much to do here when one is stuck inside the house. We have come to play a series and that we will not be stuck at home and be able to start practicing from Thursday, gives us a good vibe," the right-handed wicketkeeper-batsman added.
Bangladesh spin bowling consultant Daniel Vettori will be available to work for 22 days with the national team who are currently on tour of New Zealand.
Posted by Sports Tribune on Wednesday, 3 March 2021
Bangladesh in the series are set to play three ODIs and as many T20Is with the aim of breaking the jinx of not having won a single game on New Zealand soil.
Bangladesh in their last tour of the country, in 2019, lost the ODI series and Test series by 3-0 and 2-0 margins.
The third and final Test of the series was abandoned due to the Christchurch mosque shootings.
“The conditions are challenging and we don't get to play in these kinds of conditions a lot. The new ball is very challenging in New Zealand. If we can survive the new ball, then the result will be a lot more positive than last time," Mithun said.
After completing the mandatory 14-day quarantine, Bangladesh team will be allowed free movement and practice as a unit.
Bangladesh will have a five-day training camp in Queenstown from March 10.
The ODI series will begin on March 20 in Dunedin followed by the second and third game of the series on March 23 and 26 in Christchurch and Wellington respectively.
The three T20s will take place on March 28, 30 and April 1 in Hamilton, Napier and Auckland respectively.
