While life inside a bio-secure bubble has been difficult for some cricketers, including England all-rounder Sam Curran who on Monday opted to sit out Australia's Big Bash citing strains over protocols, there appeared to be enough fun to go around for everyone concerned in Bangladesh cricketers' bio-bubble for the Bangabandhu T20 Cup.

Taskin Ahmed was basking under what appeared to be very little sun given the gloomy weather in a video he posted today, and reclined alongside him were Shakib Al Hasan, Imrul Kayes, Rubel Hossain and Gazi Group Chattogram coach Mohammad Salahuddin.

The players had facial masks on for skin treatment while a few also had put on sunscreen. All appeared to be having quite a bit of fun.

The cricketers were having a relaxing day off with there being no matches today. While they are still inside the bio-bubble, a video posted by pacer Taskin Ahmed showed that the national team cricketers were doing their best to take the edge off the stress of being inside a bubble while maintaining protocols.

"It's not a sustainable lifestyle," Aussie pacer Mitchell Starc was recently quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.

"You're living in a hotel room with zero outside contact. Some guys haven't seen families or their kids for a long time, for those guys in the IPL. It's tough going – we get to play cricket, (so) we can't complain too much – but in terms of wellbeing of players, staff and officials, how long can you stay in hubs for?" Starc questioned the model.

Virat Kohli had talked about the repetitive nature of staying inside such ruthlessly-maintained protocols while both England captain Eoin Morgan and West Indies captain Jason Holder had remarked on "extreme burnouts" that bubbles can lead to.

The protocols for the Bangladeshi players here are no different. While there are two floors in the hotel dedicated to cricketers, no one else can enter those areas. There is a dedicated space for dining and protocols are scrupulously maintained with those involved in serving food regularly tested for coronavirus.

Photo: Mustafizur Rahman's official Twitter account

The swimming pool area is off-limits to anyone else when the cricketers are using it and the players also exit and enter the hotel to and from practice sessions and matches through separate entrances.

All of those protocols can take its toll especially since the players have entered the bubble on November 21. However, some amusement, relaxation and being a closely-knit group can have its advantages as is evidenced by the Bangladesh players' demeanour.

Whether one is a player from Gemcon Khulna, Gazi Group Chattogram, Beximco Dhaka, Minister Group Rajshahi or Fortune Borishal, life inside the bubble can be less taxing when players gel together well. With Bangladesh's series against the touring West Indies set to be played from January, the overall mental preparation and adjustments they have mastered through their kinship will stand the cricketers in good stead.

Mashrafe Bin Mortaza practiced at Mirpur today. The pacer will make a return to competitive cricket through the Bangabandhu T20 Cup after being picked up by Gemcon Khulna following a lottery. Photo: Firoz Ahmed

It was learned that Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, who was yesterday picked up by Gemcon Khulna following a lottery, will enter the bubble some time tomorrow. Needless to say that once Mashrafe -- known for being an avid 'adda' lover -- enters the bubble, merrymaking 'adda' sessions are to be added to the curriculum. The fun-o-metre, it appears, is about to climb up a notch pretty soon.