Fine-tuning on & off the field

While the Tigers have been preparing extensively to make sure that no stone is left unturned in their upcoming challenge of hosting the Australians, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has all but completed their preparations for the two-match Test series to start on August 27.

With a mission to become as familiar with the conditions as possible for the second Test, the players are now in Chittagong where they have toiling hard in the scorching heat, which will include a three-day practice match starting from today on a wicket that may be used for the Test match at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.

Bangladesh Test captain Mushfiqur Rahim will lead a team comprising Soumya Sarker, Imrul Kayes, Nazmul Hasan, Mahmudullah Riyad, Nurul Hasan, Taijul Islam, Rubel Hossain, Al-Amin Hossain, Subhashis Roy and Naeem Hasan, while his deputy Tamim Iqbal will lead a team comprising Liton Das, Mominul Haque, Sabbir Rahman, Nasir Hossain, Tanbir Hayder, Sunzamul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Kamrul Islam, Shafiul Islam, Mustafizur Rahman and Saqlain Sajib.

Meanwhile, BCB CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury informed yesterday that everything was going according to plan as far as successfully hosting the two-match series is concerned.

“Both venues are ready. Now we are just nursing the grounds. On the other hand, Fatullah is still our preference to host the tour match and we have kept BKSP under consideration as an alternative venue,” said Nizamuddin, adding that excessive rain had created problems with the Fatullah venue.

He also said that the Australia team will arrive on August 18 as scheduled, but an advance party comprising two-three players will come two days earlier as per their standard practice.

After the resolution of the pay dispute Australia's cricketers are scheduled to participate in a pre-tour training camp in Darwin from August 11 to 17 and they will get a chance to acclimatise to Bangladeshi conditions during a two-day practice match on August 22-23.

The first Test will take place at the refurbished Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur from August 27 and after that the teams will travel to Chittagong to play the second match from September 4.