Sports Reporter :
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has postponed the Bangladesh-New Zealand series, which was scheduled to be held in August-September 2020. The Kiwis were due to visit Bangladesh to play two Test matches against Bangladesh which was part of World Test Championship. The BCB and the Cricket New Zealand decided to postpone the BD-NZ series after a joint discussion. The series has been postponed due to coronavirus outbreak.
It may be mentioned that Bangladesh played three Test matches, which were included World Test Championship (WTC). Bangladesh played their first Test match against Pakistan as part of WTC and then Bangladesh took part two Test matches against India as part of WTC. Bangladesh lost to Pakistan in the first Test match and then Bangladesh suffered defeats to India in the two Test matches.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of BCB Nizamuddin Chowdhury said, ” It is impossible to stage a full cricket series in August-September due to coronavirus pandemic. It is also tough to ensure the health of players, support staff and stakeholders. Besides, It is a tough task to arrange the practice sessions for two teams during this situation.”
He said, ” BCB and the New Zealand Cricket have felt the best way forward would be to postpone the series under these circumstances. I am giving thanks to the officials of New Zealand Cricket that they have realize the present situation though the cricket fans of two countries may become disappointed.”
Bangladesh played their last international match against Zimbabwe on March 11 2020. Later, Bangladesh’s 11 international matches were postponed due to coronavirus outbreak. Bangladesh two Test matches against Australia, one against Pakistan, three One Day International (ODI) matches against Ireland, one ODI match against Pakistan, four Twenty20 International (T20I) matches against Ireland. But all the matches couldn’t held due to coronavirus outbreak.
Bangladesh are scheduled to play a sereies against Sri Lanka in July in Sri Lanka. But the fate of the series is uncertain due to coronavirus outbreak.
Bangladesh Cricket Board and Sri Lanka Cricket have not yet finalised the series due to present circumstances.
