Bangladesh fast bowler Abu Jayed Rahi tested positive for COVID-19

Bangladesh fast bowler Abu Jayed Rahi has been tested positive for the ungodly COVID-19 virus and it was confirmed by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Wednesday, September 23. The development is expected to come as a blow for the Tigers, who are scheduled to tour Sri Lanka in the month of October for a bilateral series.

Earlier, 27 cricketers were tested for the coronavirus, but among them, only Jayed returned with positive results. It remains to be seen if he can make the cut for the upcoming series, which is also set to mark Bangladesh’s return to international cricket post the pandemic.

“Pace bowler Abu Jayed Chowdhury Rahi has reported positive for COVID-19. He will receive treatment in isolation for COVID as per guidelines and will undergo further tests in due course,” Debashish Chowdhury, the BCB physician, was quoted as saying in a statement, reported by Sportstar.

“Samples were collected from 27 cricketers called up to the Bangladesh Team Skill Camp with test results of 26 returning negative,” BCB said. Earlier Saif Hassan also recovered after being tested positive. The likes of Nafees Iqbal, Nazmul Islam Apu and the legendary Mashrafe Mortaza also fell prey to the virus, but all of them managed to recover.

Abu Jayed Rahi- a talented prospect

Abu Jayed made his debut back in 2018 against the Lankans in a T20I at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. In the same year, he went on to make his Test debut against West Indies in North Sound. Then in May 2019, the 27-year-old speedster forayed into ODI cricket as well in the tri-series in Ireland before the 2019 World Cup in England and Wales.

In nine Tests, two ODIs and three T20Is, Rahi has 24, five and four wickets respectively. He also was a part of Bangladesh’s maiden Day-Night Test against India back in November 2019 at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata. In the same series, he also got rid of the Indian captain, Virat Kohli.

Rahi also plied his for the Rajshahi Royals in the 2019-20 Bangladesh Premier League (IPL). He played a crucial role and the Royals, led by Andre Russell, won the championship beating Khulna Tigers in the final.