Sports Reporter
Bangladesh opener Saif Hassan and Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) Head of Physical Performance Nick Lee tested positive for coronavirus, the board said through a press release yesterday. They displayed no symptoms leading up to the sample collection, the press release added.
The BCB’s medical team has advised them to go into isolation immediately, in accordance with Covid-19 management protocols, until they undergo another test.
The BCB collected samples on Monday from 24 individuals, including 17 players in Dhaka, the results of which came yesterday.
21-year-old Saif made his Test debut against Pakistan in February this year and has played two Tests for Bangladesh.
Lee had reported positive on August 14 in Dubai and negative on August 23 after 10 days in isolation. He also completed a 14-day quarantine on arrival to Dhaka prior to yesterday’s test.
“Our consultant for Covid-19 is reviewing Lee’s case to determine whether it is a new or previous infection before advising on the management plan,” said BCB’s chief physician Debashish Chowdhury.
According to chief selector Minhajul Abedin, 37 cricketers -- including members of the preliminary Test squad and High Performance squad who are scheduled to tour Sri Lanka -- will undergo tests.
The 13 remaining players had their samples collected for testing yesterday and the results are expected today. BCB had earlier halted individual training to enhance safety measures and the individual training is expected to resume from today.
The board is planning a week-long residential camp ahead of the tour of Sri Lanka.
The camp is set to begin on September 21. The BCB will conduct Covid-19 Tests in four phases. The three remaining phases are scheduled on September 18, 21 and 24. The final test will be held 72 hours before the Tigers board their flight to Sri Lanka.
Bangladesh’s tour of Sri Lanka, which was originally scheduled for July-August, was postponed due to the pandemic. The Tigers are now expected to travel in late September to take part in the three-Test tour one month before the first Test, expected to begin from October 24.