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Tigers adapting well to NZ conditions


Published : 06 Mar 2021 08:24 PM | Updated : 07 Mar 2021 12:52 AM

Bangladesh cricket team are currently in New Zealand to play their first series abroad after the pandemic. After spending the first few days, in stern quarantine measures, Tigers are now preparing for the white-ball tour by involving themselves with more on-field activities like gym and light training sessions. The team have been practicing at the Lincoln Green in small groups of seven ahead of their three-match ODI and three-match T20I series. It is not unknown to anyone, that it is very challenging to play cricket under the difficult weather conditions in the Kiwi land.

Especially to adapt with the strong breeze while playing matches there is very difficult. However, the extra time that team Bangladesh are getting ahead of their first ODI match against New Zealand on 20th March, will make the team more accustomed with the condition there and will help the team to prepare better for their upcoming series against the Kiwis. 

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) selector Habibul Bashar also shared the same view on this regard. The Tigers landed in New Zealand on February 24, almost a month before their first ODI. So according to the BCB selector, the extra time that Bangladesh spent in New Zealand will only help the team in being much greater prepared for the series. 

“Before coming to New Zealand, it was very important how well we can get adapted to the condition here. Wickets in New Zealand are more or less the same as the one on which we are practicing here currently. We will also get to practice in Queenstown for a while. 

“So, the hard work that we have put in by coming here early will only profit us for the series. The condition here is a complete contrast to than in Bangladesh. So, it was very significant for us to come here early and get adjusted to the condition. It is a bit colder here in Dunedin but the wicket will be more or less the same I think," said Habibul Bashar, who is currently with the team in New Zealand, and said all these during a recorded video message to the BCB on Saturday. 

Saturday was the tenth day of the Tigers’ obligatory 14-day quarantine period. After the compulsory quarantine period, team Bangladesh will be able to mix with the locals and roam freely around the country. Bashar also pointed that out as an encouraging factor of the Tigers’ tour. 

“A very good thing about this tour in New Zealand is that we will be allowed to roam freely after the 14-day quarantine period. In other countries, players have to stay inside the bubble for the entirety of that tour, which usually is more than a month. That in fact is tougher. But here we will be free after 14 days and can roam around. We can go anywhere and enjoy the time outside of cricket a lot,” said Bashar.

The players are also supposed to take part in a five-day training camp in Queenstown after their obligatory quarantine period.