Bangladesh Under-19's Iftekhar Hossain tests positive for coronavirus

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has decided to host an Under-19 camp from August 23 to September 18 at BKSP. Total of 45 cricketers have been selected for this special camp. The board had divided the cricketers in a group of 15 and they will have to test negative for joining the camp.

On Monday, the Covid-19 test was conducted for the players belonging to the second batch at the Shere Bangla National Stadium’s academy building. In the reports which were released yesterday, it was found that one U-19 player Iftekhar Hossain has tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

Though the reports of the remaining 14 players are negative and they will join the camp at BKSP today. While Hossain will be kept in isolation under the observation until his reports come out negative.

BCB confirms the news of Iftekhar Hossain testing positive for Covid-19

The first batch of the players was tested on August 16 which included 15 cricketers and 12 coaching staff. None of them was tested positive, therefore they were sent to the camp at BKSP on August 17. Also, the third and final batch of the players will be tested on August 20 (Thursday).

Confirming the news, BCB’s game development manager, MA Kayser told ESPNcricinfo, “We have had one positive case, and his name is Iftekhar Hossain. He will now be in isolation under the BCB’s medical protocol. He is healthy but he is being closely monitored. We will provide him with everything during his isolation and the next course of action will be decided by the BCB’s medical team.”

“The first batch of 15 players arrived at the academy on August 15, were tested the following day, and when all were found negative, were sent to BKSP, the sports institute situated 36km from Mirpur. The same plan was followed for the second batch, except Hossain, while the third batch will be tested on Thursday,” he added.

The Bangladeshi senior cricketers have been practicing at the Shere Bangla National Stadium since July 2020. The cricket board was reluctant to allow the players to train in the view of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic but earlier this week Tamim Iqbal and Mustafizur Rahman joined training in Mirpur.