The national team cricketers will finally return to action today in a practice match between Bangladesh ‘A’ and the Under-23 side at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.
Three matches, in which all the players in the national camp, including national skipper Mushfiqur Rahim, are expected to feature, were scheduled as part of the preparation of the cricketers ahead of their assignments in England and Singapore respectively.
Though a day-long countrywide strike was called up on Wednesday, the cricket operations department informed
that the game will go ahead as planned.
If fitness permits and the physio gives the nod, the selectors will also try to include Mashrafee bin Murtaza in the A team set to tour England but his chances of making the practice match are slim, said chief selector Akram Khan.
‘We are trying to include him in the A team but everything will depend on how he recovers from his injury. Now, the physio and doctors are taking care of him,’ he said.
The warm-up match will also provide an opportunity for the Under-23 side to undergo some practice before they take part in the eight-nation Asian Cricket Council’s Emerging Cup tournament set to be held in Singapore next month.
The second string side will feature in three one day internationals against England Lions Club. They are also scheduled to play some matches against selected county clubs from England.
The A team, however, will start their UK tour with a match against Hampshire on August 6 which will be followed by matches against Yorkshire, Lancashire, Nottinghamshire and Worcestershire on August 9, 11, 14 and 16 respectively.
-With New Age input
