Bangladesh opener Saif Hassan has tested positive for COVID-19 along with their strength and conditioning coach.
Prior to the Bangladesh team’s departure towards Sri Lanka, the BCB’s medical team has opted to have their 17 players and 7 staff be tested for COVID-19 last Monday. As the test results came out, it was discovered that team opener Saif Hassan had tested positive along with their strength and conditioning coach Nick Lee.
Lee’s result came out to be a shock as he had already tested positive for the virus on August 14. However, he has already turned over a negative result by August 23 after he had been placed in 10-day isolation. Prior to the recent test, he had already completed a 14-day quarantine upon his arrival in Dhaka.
As per BCB’s sports physician Dr Debashis Chowdhury, ‘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’.
Also, it has been said by chief selector Minhajul Abedin that about 37 more cricketers would have to be tested prior to their tour in Sri Lanka. Upon getting the results of all COVID-19 tests, the players and the staff can resume their activities on the training camp at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium on September 9.
As per another BCB official, ‘We will keep corona positive players under our intensive observation. We will test them again after a certain period. Their future will depend on the next test’. With that, it has also been affirmed that Saif or any other COVID-19 positive players can go to the training camp upon recovery.
The BCB’s residential camp will start on September 21. This will be in line with the COVID-19 tests that are to be conducted prior to the team’s flight towards Sri Lanka. The Bangladesh tour of Sri Lanka comprises three Test matches to be played in October. To further understand this cricket format, visit Betwala.
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