Siddons to join Tigers before first ODI?

Bangladesh national team batting coach Jamie Siddons again tested positive in his latest round of Covid-19 test but the Australian could join the team in Chattogram ahead of their first of three ODIs against Afghanistan, slated for February 23 in Chattogram.  

Siddons, who had tested positive for the virus on February 12 for the first time, was supposed to travel to Chattogram with the Bangladesh squad today. However, he had to stay back in isolation in Dhaka as he tested positive for Covid-19 in the test conducted on Saturday. 

But according to the current protocol, Siddons will still be able to join the squad ahead of the first ODI. 

"Siddons returned positive once again. But it has been eight days since he tested positive initially. According to the Tokyo 2020 Guidebook, he can join the team without undergoing any tests 10 days after returning positive for the first time. He is also doing well," informed the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) physician Monzur Hossain Chowdhury to The Daily Star. 

Meanwhile, all the players and crew of the Bangladesh cricket team returned negative for Covid-19 tests. The Bangladesh squad, except all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan and pacer Mustafizur Rahman, are already in Chattogram for the ODIs and also had a practice session at 3:00pm in the port city. 

The first ODI will be underway on February 23. The second and the third and final ODI is scheduled for February 25 and 28, respectively. All the matches will be played at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram. 

The two teams will then travel to Dhaka for the T20I series, which will be hosted by the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur. The first game is scheduled for March 3 while the second and final T20I will take place on March 5.

The T20Is will count towards the ICC T20I Rankings, while the ODIs will be part of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Super League.