The Bangladesh Cricket Board on Saturday (July 22) admitted that they don’t have alternate plans, but are hopeful that the forthcoming two-match Test series against Australia will be played as per schedule despite negative speculation all around.
BCB officials said that the pre-tour security visit of a delegate of Cricket Australia would go ahead as per schedule despite the pay dispute between the players and the board.
The chief executive officer of BCB, Nizamuddin Chowdhury, told reporters that they were taking care of all the preparations with respect to the pre-tour security visit of the Australian delegate.
“We had communication [with CA] even this morning,” said Nizamuddin. “A delegate team of four to five members will come to see all the arrangements including security issues on July 25. We’re hopeful that the visit will go ahead as per as schedule.
“We are not still informed about the possibility of the cancellation of the tour,” he added.
The announcement came a day after the talks between CA and Australian Cricketers Association fell apart as the board intended to end the existing revenue-sharing model while the ACA was determined to keep it. Both of them were in talks for the last one week but the recent dispute caused a new concern for the upcoming Test series.
The outcome of the meeting suggested that Cricket Australia might not send their delegate to pay a visit to Bangladesh unless there was breakthrough in its negotiation with the players.
A delegate, led by CA anti-corruption and security manager Sean Carroll paid a visit to Bangladesh on May 16 and the team was satisfied with all the arrangements regarding security and ground issues.
Cricket Australia confirmed the series against Bangladesh and announced a 13-member strong side led by Steve Smith on June 16. The team is expected to reach Bangladesh on August 18 with the first of two Tests scheduled from August 27-31 in Dhaka.
When asked whether BCB will be trying to look for other options, Nizamuddin made it straight that it is not possible. “You must understand that we just cannot get an alternative considering the commitments of the international teams,” said Nizamuddin. “Everyone is busy with their own schedule.”
Bangladesh national cricket team started their preparations for the forthcoming series against Australia on July 10.
Source: The Daily Ittefaq