Tigers begin practice at Mirpur

Bangladesh national cricket team’s players returned to the field to begin their practice on Friday ahead of the upcoming five-match T20 series against New Zealand.

The practice session was under the supervision of the head coach Russell Domingo, held at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur. However, all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan who returned to the country on August 24, could not join today's practice as the 72-hour quarantine was not over. The Tigers, however, have got Mushfiqur Rahim, Liton Das and Aminul Islam Biplob back to the side after they had to opt-out from the Australia tour citing various reasons.  Bangladesh wicket-keeper Nurul Hasan said that everyone in the Tigers' outfit has been coping well with the bio-bubbles and have returned rejuvenated after a short break. “Truth be told, living in a bio-bubble is tough but in this current situation we should be able to cope with it and I think everyone is doing well in that regard. We were in a bio-bubble during the last two series and everyone has returned refreshed and with confidence for today's practice,” Sohan told the media in a video message.

“We're glad that we can still play cricket in this situation and hoping that we would be coping better with time,” he added. Nurul had been waiting in the wings to get into the national team for a long time and got the opportunity to play in Zimbabwe due to Mushfiqur Rahim's absence. Having also been part of the side that thumped Australia 4-1 in the T20I series at home, Nurul said that playing is the way forward for the Tigers. “New Zealand are a good team and if we can play as a team, there will be the possibility of us doing well.” “Bangladesh dressing room environment is very good at the moment. We're 15 to 20 people here but everyone wants the 11 playing in the field to do well. They help each other out which is very important to doing well as a team,” he concluded. The first of the five-match T20 series will be held on September 1. The remaining four matches will be played on September 3, 5, 8 and 10 respectively. All the matches will be staged at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur.