Sri Lanka Team Manager for the ongoing tour of Bangladesh, Manuja Kariyapperuma said the facilities provided by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) are adequate and are the same that Bangladesh were offered when they toured Sri Lanka last month for a two-match Test series.
The statement from the Sri Lanka national cricket team official has come at the back of a scare of a possible ‘bio secured bubble breach’ in the ongoing three-match ODI series.
The future of the series fell in jeopardy just hours ahead of the first ODI at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Sunday when three members of the touring Sri Lanka were reported of Covid-19 positive on Saturday night. However, a second test showed the players Isuru Udana and Shiran Fernando return with negative on Sunday. The third person, bowling coach Chaminda Vaas, tested positive for the second time but is understood he actually had Covid-19 over the past few months, so his returning positive tests was described by a team doctor as "normal".
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“The facilities that have been offered are adequate and we made you serve the facilities that have been offered to us as well. I am looking forward to a very good series. The Bangladesh cricket board is making every effort to give the best facilities available for us in the new normal. It is something we too must understand and adapt when you come to another country,” said Sri Lanka team manager Manuja through a video message to media on Sunday.
The statement coming from the Sri Lanka official thus removes speculation of any doubts about the series going ahead. Though the first ODI started as per the schedule, there was a wide rumour the remaining matches of the series may not go ahead as per schedule.
“The relationship the two boards have is commendable. Even if there is anything [any issue] we can sort it out so there is absolutely no problem. I think there a great understanding between the boards and the officials.
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“Yes we had two players and one support staff member tested Covid-19 positive. But two were declared negative after the second test. So these things happen. You know there is a thing called false positive reports and I think that might have been the case,” said the Sri Lanka team official.
Sri Lanka reached Dhaka on May 16 for the three-match ODI series that is part of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Super League. The visitors were in three-day room quarantine and returned with two Covid-19 results before they were allowed to use training facilities. Both Bangladesh and Sri Lanka team underwent another Covid-19 test a day ahead of the first game.
