Picture Credit: AP
The COVID-19 situation across the globe has forced players from all sports to live in a bio-bubble to reduce the danger of getting infected. Meanwhile, players and teams also have to complete a quarantine period before they start taking the field. This has become the new normal but many players still find it difficult to cope with the situation. Bangladesh wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim is a recent example of that. The 34-year-old will not be able to take part in the upcoming T20I series against Australia after failing to join the team's bio-bubble for the mandatory 10-day quarantine.
Mushfiqur wanted to play the series but he had flown back to see his parents and thus failed to start the mandatory quarantine period ahead of Australia series. The BCB tried to convince Cricket Australia over the issue but the latter did not agree upon the same. This will result in Rahim missing all the five matches of the series.
“Mushfiqur wanted to play the series. But he missed the quarantine by a couple of days. His parents are sick, so had to leave the Zimbabwe tour. But the 10-day quarantine is part of our agreement with Cricket Australia, so we could not include him. They didn't agree to Mushfiqur entering quarantine two days after it began. It is disappointing but one can't do much about these things,” said BCB cricket operations chairman Akram Khan.
The five-match T20I series is slated to begin on August 3
Both the teams, Bangladesh and Australia, are currently taking part in bilateral series against Zimbabwe and West Indies, respectively. Thus, both the sides would not be able to start the designated quarantine period. However, the remaining squad of Bangladesh will head straight into hotel quarantine upon their arrival in Dhaka from Harare on July 27. The same is applicable for match officials, support staff and other members.
Australia have already announced their squad for the tour while Bangladesh are yet to do so. Since both teams will arrive a few days before the first match, they will get only one day of practice. The series will kick-start on August 3. The next four matches of the series will be played on August 4, 6 , 7, and 9 at Dhaka's Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.