BCB faces challenge to ensure broadcast for SL ODIs

Bangladesh Cricket Board is in a tricky situation to ensure the broadcast for the upcoming ODI home series against Sri Lanka later this month.

BCB has invited tender for a two-year deal for the broadcast rights and the bidding process will take place Monday.

With the three-ODI series set to start from May 23, it will be a challenge for the broadcasters to bring in crew that involves mostly Indian and South African citizens.

Due to the upsurge of Covid-19 cases in the country, the government has set strict health protocol for those entering the country, and according to which individuals arriving from India and South Africa must go through 14-day quarantine, which makes the situation even more complicated for the board.

“Obviously it is going to be a challenge for us. According to the government health protocol, it is difficult to bring Indian crew in the current context considering the 14-day quarantine protocol. However, we are trying to arrange from some of our other sources and we are hopeful about it. Although, it is too early for us to make a concrete comment over the issue as the work is still in progress,” said BCB CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury to the media Tuesday.

The ODI series between Sri Lanka and hosts Bangladesh are also part of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Super League where the presence of a Decision Review System in the game is necessary according to the standard protocol of the game.

The technicians who operate the DRS system mostly come from South Africa.

The visitors are scheduled to reach Dhaka Sunday.

The first match of the series will be played on May 23, followed by the second and third on May 25 and 28 respectively.

The series is part of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Super League and each win will add 10 points to the tally.

The Bangladesh cricketers will resume training from May 18 following the week-long Eid-ul-Fitr break.