New Zealand have decided to opt out any practice match in their upcoming Bangladesh tour due to the concern of corona virus pandemic.
The Black Caps five-match T20 International series here next month also included a warm-up game in BKSP. Since they will be in bio-bubble, New Zealand don’t want to move much, said the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) CEO Nizam Uddin Chowdhury.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic a separate bio-bubble should be created in BKSP if they want to play the practice game. At the same time, the distance of BKSP from Dhaka is also a cause for concern.
“New Zealand do not want to play a warm-up match. They were scheduled to play a warm-up match against the BCB XI team at BKSP on August 29. But if the match is to be organized, a bio-safety zone will have to be created. They want to avoid extra bio-bubble,” Chowdhury said here today.
Asked if BKSP’s distance from Dhaka was also the reason for the cancellation of the match, he said, “Not at all.” Earlier, the big teams all went and played in BKSP. BKSP facilities have been improved. And there are special benefits for visiting teams. It takes very little time to travel. It’s not an issue. ”
The New Zealand cricket team will arrive in Dhaka on August 24. The first T20 will be held on September 1. The next four matches are on September 3, 5, 8 and 10. All of those five matches will be played at Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. It has not been decided when the matches will start. However, it is learnt that the match may start at 4 PM, keeping the New Zealand fans back at home in mind.
Bangladesh had played five T20s in seven days against Australia earlier this month and won the series by 4-1. However, there is a break of one day at the end of every match against New Zealand.
