All cricketing activities were on hold for more than four months in Bangladesh amid coronavirus outbreak until a group of national team cricketers started individual training programme before Eid-ul-Azha. More cricketers joined after Eid.

In September, BCB held a residential training programme ahead of Sri Lanka tour for a three-match Test series. But the series has been postponed for the second time due to the Covid-19 restrictions in the island nation.

BCB, however, decided to continue the programme after a three-day gap. Currently, cricketers are playing two two-day practice games.

In the first game, Imrul failed to shine but on Monday he scored 59 with some beautiful strikes.

“There were some problems in the first game. I found it tough to adjust to the wicket. I felt uneasy in the first game and failed to do well. But I was more focused in this game and I’ve done everything according to my plan,” he said at the end of the first day’s play.

“These two games are very important for us because we’re playing after a long gap. So, it was tough to concentrate on the game. The batsmen did well in both games which is really a relief,” Imrul added.

He said that all cricketers took these practice games as their professional duties. He especially applauded the pace-bowlers who did well.

Cricketers will take part in a one-day league comprising three teams and seven matches, including the final. The management will announce the details soon. 

Brief score of day one: 

Ottis Gibson XI: 248/8 in 72 overs, Imrul 59, Mahmudullah 56, Liton Das 44, Mosaddek 29, Soumya 26; Taskin 3/42, Mithun 2/10, Al Amin 1/36, Saifuddin 1/42, Taijul 1/76