Sri Lanka’s quarantine and Bangladesh cricket tour

Bangladesh Cricket Board president Nazmul Hassan says Sri Lanka’s conditions, which include 14 days of isolation for players after arrival — during which practicing would be forbidden — are unacceptable, according to an AFP report.

Bangladesh’s forthcoming Test series in Sri Lanka was thrown into doubt after Hassan rejected the coronavirus restrictions imposed by the hosts.

“The proposal we received is … not even close to what we agreed upon,” AFP quoted Hassan as saying in Dhaka.

“Under these conditions, it is not possible for us to play the Test championship … This is not even close to what is being followed in some other parts of the world where cricket is being played during this time.”

Sri Lanka’s Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa told his country’s cricket board to work with the health department to try and find a way around the strict quarantine procedures.

“Given the significance of #cricket in the region, I have asked @OfficialSLC to consult the covid task force and reconsider the @BCBtigers matter,” Rajapaksa tweeted.

The three Tests in October-November were meant to mark the two nations’ return to international cricket after a months-long lockdown halted professional sports worldwide.