Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey
New Zealand’s tour of Bangladesh, comprising of two Tests in August as part of the World Test Championship, has been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Although international cricket is taking its first steps to recovery after it came to a standstill in March, creating a bio-secure environment in Bangladesh is a challenge. The Shere Bangla Stadium in Mirpur is located in a virus “red zone”. Also, the number of cases has crossed 100,000 in Bangladesh, and given the dense population, staging international cricket there is a risky proposition.
BCB’s chief executive Nizamuddin Chowdhury said that the health of the players is paramount, which led to the decision.
“In the present COVID-19 pandemic scenario, hosting a full cricket series in August 2020 will be a challenge in terms of preparations and we cannot take chances with the safety and health of players, support staff and related stakeholders,” Chowdhury said.
“Under these circumstances, the BCB and NZC have felt that the best way forward would be to defer the series. We realise that this will be hugely disappointing for the players and officials of both teams, not to mention the fans of the two nations but I must thank NZC for its understanding and for recognising the rationale behind such a decision.”
This news comes as three players, including legend Mashrafe Mortaza, have tested positive to COVID-19. This is Bangladesh’s fourth postponed assignment since the pandemic broke out, including hosting Australia this month (June).
Bangladesh and New Zealand have had some Test competitive battles in Bangladesh. Shakib Al Hasan and Daniel Vettori went toe-to-toe in Chittagong in 2008, before Bangladesh held New Zealand to a 0-0 draw in 2013.
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