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SLC looking to recommence international cricket in the country against Bangladesh after a seven-month lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic
By Sa’adi Thawfeeq
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) were awaiting the ‘go-ahead’ from the Ministry of Health and the Minister of Sport for Bangladesh’s cricket tour of Sri Lanka to take place from 14 October to 13 November after submitting letters to the respective Ministries.
The tour will comprise of two parallel series – the National team playing Sri Lanka in a three-match Test series, which is part of the World Test Championship and the Development side taking on Sri Lanka Development in another series of matches. Both series will take place concurrently.
The Test matches are to be played in Colombo and in Pallekele.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, there are strict health guidelines that need to be followed and there is a 14-day quarantine period for anyone travelling to the country from overseas.
Bangladesh is expected to bring a squad of 65 comprising players of the National team, Development team and support staff and they are due to arrive 17 days ahead of the scheduled itinerary on 27 September in order to carry out their training sessions. In order to get clearance for the team SLC officials have had lengthy discussions with a panel of doctors at the Ministry of Health headed by Dr. Anil Jasinghe, and subsequently with Ministry of Health Deputy Director-General Dr. Amal Harsha de Silva, with the hope of relaxing the quarantine period for the Bangladesh tour. At the request of the Ministry of Health doctors, SLC has also submitted a document outlining the health protocols to be followed during the practice camp and during the two series involving the National and Development Squads for consideration of the Ministry of Health.
SLC has also made a request to the Minister of Sport seeking his assistance to secure Hotel Shangri-La in Hambantota, which has been reserved by the Government for quarantine purposes, as the accommodation facility for the Bangladeshi squads during the training camp in the event it is held at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium in Hambantota.
SLC officials stated that they want to isolate Bangladesh in one place to help them in their training and if they are to train at the Stadium, it would be easy for them to travel from the hotel. The officials also stated that they were waiting for the release of health guidelines to be implemented during the tour from the Ministry of Health.
