Afghanistan squad off to Sylhet today

Afghanistan cricket team reached Dhaka yesterday and will travel to Sylhet in the morning today for a week-long camp ahead of their upcoming bilateral three-match ODI and two-match T20I series against hosts Bangladesh, whose latest batting coach Jamie Siddons had tested positive for the coronavirus earlier.   

The visitors eventually reached Dhaka around 10 pm yesterday following five hours of delay from the scheduled arrival time since departing from Qatar earlier.  

After a day-long quarantine period, the Afghanistan side will start its seven-day training camp in Sylhet from February 14. Chattogram will be their next destination, where all three ODIs will be played at the Zahur Ahmed Cricket Stadium, the first of which will be underway on February 23. The second and the third and final ODI is scheduled for February 25 and 28, respectively.

The two teams will then travel to Dhaka for the T20I series, which will be hosted by the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur. The first game is scheduled for March 3 while the second and final T20I will take place on March 5.

Afghan stars Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Qais Ahmed, who are currently playing in the ongoing Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), will join their team camp following the completion of the stints with their respective BPL franchises.

Star leg-spinner Rashid Khan, however, is yet to be part of the touring party as he is expected to be engaged with his Pakistan Super League side Lahore Qalandars till February 19.

- Siddons in Isolation -

Meanwhile, Siddons tested positive for Covid-19, as confirmed by the Bangladesh Cricket Board's cricket operations committee chairman Jalal Yunus. 

Siddons experience mild symptoms and the 57-year-old is doing well, according to Yunus. The Australian coach will undergo the necessary treatment while remaining isolated in his hotel room until he tests negative.

Siddons (L) during his first stint with the Tigers. Photo: Star file

Since arriving in Bangladesh for his second stint with the Tigers, the Australian remained busy, observing the ongoing BPL, during which he even traveled to Sylhet.