The New Zealand men’s team have asked the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to enforce strict bio-bubble measures during their tour to Bangladesh next month.
The visitors are likely to touch down later this month to play five T20s against the hosts in early September, with all matches being held in Dhaka as per the agreement between the two boards.
They want the same bio-bubble measures the Aussies experienced during the recent series, BCB CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury told the media Monday. “Both Australia and New Zealand follow nearly the same protocols.”
“New Zealand asked us to provide them with heightened bio-bubble measures. We have been working to ensure that. It is not just about Australia or New Zealand; we have to look after our team as well,” Nizamuddin added.
Earlier, Australia had set tough conditions ahead of their Bangladesh tour. They did not maintain a conventional immigration procedure after arriving in Bangladesh.
The Aussies went to the team hotel directly from the airport. It was possible because they had arrived in Dhaka on a chartered flight. But the Blackcaps will arrive on a commercial flight.
“New Zealand have to follow the immigration procedure since they will arrive on a commercial flight. We will try to keep them away from any public contact,” the BCB CEO said.
The New Zealand team is unlikely to take part in a practice match ahead of the series.
According to the BCB CEO, to avoid the risk of catching Covid, the New Zealand team is not keen to play the practice match.
Also, all the members of the Bangladesh team have been asked to follow specific instructions ahead of the series.
During the Australia series, all the matches started at 6pm (Bangladesh time). But the timing is likely to be changed to 4pm in the forthcoming series, the BCB CEO said.
New Zealand have already announced a squad for this series that did not include anyone from their T20 World Cup squad.
“Whoever they are sending I am not surprised about that, but I am astonished that they are sending a squad that does not include anyone from the T20 World Cup squad,” Domingo told the reporters recently.
The first match of this series will take place on September 1, while the other matches will be played on September 3, 5, 8 and 10.
Source: United News of Bangladesh