Tigers’ practice halted in NZ

Bangladesh national cricket team’s practice has been halted in New Zealand after the New Zealand government issued an order which said they will have to stay in isolation in the Managed Isolation and Quarantine facilities for three more days following Bangladesh spin bowling coach Rangana Herath testing positive for Covid-19.

On Thursday, Bangladesh cricketers except for Test skipper Mominul Haque and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who were in close contact with Herath, were allowed to go to the field for practice after they tested negative for Covid-19.

But now, they will all have to return to isolation for three more days. Bangladesh team operations manager, Nafees Iqbal, confirmed the news.

“We have been asked to stop training for a few days. Due to some unavoidable circumstances, New Zealand’s health ministry has instructed us to do so. We have to test for Covid-19 once again. We have tested thrice. We will be exempted once we test negative on the ninth day of quarantine,” Nafees said.

He added, “The 14-day quarantine rule was there from before. Before coming here, we brought it down to seven days through discussion. But it was still 10 days. Seven days in MIQ, and then three days in the hotel, but we could practice. Now, we probably have to stay these three days in MIQ too.”

Nafees also said that they had been granted permission to train on Thursday but now that has been revoked due to instructions from the New Zealand health Ministry.

The Bangladesh team operations manager also provided updates on Herath.

“Herath is feeling well. He is getting better day by day. We are in constant contact. We are hoping that we will get him with us soon,” Nafees said.

Bangladesh team left for New Zealand on December 9 after losing their two-match Test series against Pakistan 2-0.

They will play two Tests against New Zealand in January, with the first starting on January 1 at the Mount Maunganui.