SL-Bangladesh Tests slated for Colombo and Kandy

• SLC awaits Health Ministry guidelines to finalise match dates and venues

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

The Bangladesh team that is scheduled to tour Sri Lanka in September are planning to bring a squad of around 60 players to train for two separate series, according to SLC.

“Bangladesh wants to bring a squad of about 60 odd players to train for two separate tours. They are due to come with their national team and also their Emerging side. In addition to playing 3 Tests they will also play a separate series against our Emerging team concurrently. The logistics are not finalised yet. That’s the plan we have at the moment,” said Sri Lanka Cricket secretary Mohan de Silva.

“The Test venues and the Emerging team matches have not been finalised yet. We have to meet at committee level and finalise the venues. We are having discussions with the Health Ministry also regarding the tour arrangements,” he said.

“Bangladesh are willing to come two weeks ahead and undergo the required quarantine period at their own cost. Once the official tour starts we will look after them,” De Silva said.

SLC’s CEO Ashley de Silva stated that everything has nearly been finalised and once they get the green light from the Health authorities they would release the tour itinerary.

“The three Tests will be played two in Kandy and one in Colombo,” said De Silva.    

The newly appointed Vice President of Sri Lanka Cricket Jayantha Dharmadasa who is handling international cricket said that the tour is confirmed and added: “We are waiting from the Health Ministry for their guidelines. Bangladesh is due in September and we have asked for 3 Test matches and 2 side games, still they have not confirmed. Depending on the Health Ministry approval they might bring the other team also.

“The dates and venues are not finalised. The venues have to be near the hotel and all that. We have to wait for the Health guidelines. England is playing where their Test grounds are near the hotel. Like that whether we have to follow a similar course of action we don’t know. We have to wait for Monday or Tuesday to get the guidelines from the Health Ministry.”