Although it was supposed to be a regular meeting of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) governing council to chalk out the future of the upcoming franchise-based tournament, things took a dramatic turn at the home of cricket in Mirpur when BCB boss Nazmul Hassan decided to begin the meeting ahead schedule.

The Tigers' tour of New Zealand emerged as the meeting's biggest agenda, with rumours swirling that Bangladesh may return from New Zealand without taking part in the two-match Test series, scheduled to begin from January 1, due to the extended quarantine period taking a huge toll on cricketers.

The turbulence began after Bangladesh's spin-bowling coach Rangana Herath tested positive for Covid-19 in Christchurch. It then came to light that the New Zealand's first case of the Omicron variant was found on the same flight from Dubai to New Zealand that the Bangladesh team were travelling on, forcing the New Zealand Health Ministry to take strict measures. Other cricketers who had come in contact with the Covid-19 afflicted person were also separated and isolated upon landing on December 10.

In line with guidelines from the New Zealand Health Ministry, the visitors were asked to stay at the Managed Isolation Center for another three days of strict room quarantine despite originally being supposed to move to the team hotel and start outdoor practice from Friday.

The extended quarantine has disrupted Bangladesh's tour plans and results of Covid-19 testing on December 21 will determine whether the Tigers have to stay in quarantine for a few more days.

"Some players were wondering about coming back to the country because they are going through a very tough time. They have been in quarantine for many days and we all know life inside bio-bubbles is not easy," Hassan told media after the meeting yesterday.

However, the Bangladesh team that traveled to New Zealand earlier this year had followed a strict 14-day quarantine in their rooms before being able to roam freely about the country.

"Obviously we have been having a tough time since arriving in New Zealand. We had to stay mostly in our rooms. Initially, we thought that the room quarantine would be over after seven days, but it was extended by three days. We are allowed to go outside once a day to enjoy some fresh air but our food is served in our room. They also take our laundry from our room," a member of the Bangladesh team said, requesting anonymity.

Australian captain Pat Cummins was ruled out of the second Ashes Test after coming in close contact with a Covid-19 patient and, after Cricket Australia failed to persuade the health authorities to have him cleared for the game, Steve Smith replaced him as the captain.

It is also a fact that the sports world has started to adapt to the new normal, where life inside bio-sbubble and maintaining social distancing has become essential to keeping the game moving forward in these times of uncertainty.