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Dhaka Premier League begins today amid coronavirus fear


Published : 14 Mar 2020 08:51 PM | Updated : 05 Sep 2020 05:35 PM

The Dhaka Premier League 2019-20 will start from today. On Saturday, four teams were practicing at the academy ground at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur. About 60-70 cricketers were practising at the same time. During the practice session, players of every team were exchanging fists instead of shaking hands with the players of other teams.

However, in this season Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) discourages players to have any kind of contact with the hands or from shaking hands. BCB do not want cricketers to shake hands as a precautionary measure from coronavirus. However, they still did not ban it officially.  

At a news conference announcing the sponsorship of the tournament at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium in Mirpur yesterday, BCB chief executive Nizam Uddin Chowdhury said, "There will be discussion on how to reduce the prevailing rules of shaking hands. We are so accustomed to it. To prevent something like this (coronavirus) we have some advice for the teams. The steps that are being taken to prevent coronavirus will be discussed with the teams soon.”

In addition, if any of the players or officials feel sick, the BCB chief executive immediately told the board: “We will have some advice for each team. The steps that are being taken on coronavirus will be discussed. We had a meeting today. If a player or official feels sick or has any coronavirus symptoms, then they should let inform it to BCB’s medical team and their respective clubs. Then the clubs should contact us.”

“The step and medical advisory that the government has taken to combat the coronavirus, will be followed strictly in the ground,” BCB CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury said. Bangladesh ODI captain Tamim Iqbal who is playing for Prime Bank also said that they will try to avoid handshake in line with the BCB directive. 

“It is a norm but this year we’ll try to avoid the handshake,” Tamim said, adding that they would try to focus on cricket only, leaving behind coronavirus outbreak. “The BCB is our guardian and I am sure they will take the best step for us. They won’t take any decision which could harm us.”

Meanwhile country’s leading corporate house Walton became the title sponsor of the Bangabandhu DPL. The BCB announced it in a press conference on Saturday. “Even though the stadium will empty since BCB discouraged public gathering, the league is being held in perfect time. 

Because there is no International commitment for Bangladesh cricket at the moment and so we’ll get all star players in the league,” said Walton’s executive director Uday Hakim.