Australia is touring Bangladesh for a short five-match T20I series starting from Tuesday, 3 August. The Australian team has asked for strict COVID-19 protocols and restrictions amid rising cases in the country.
Reacting to the strict measures put in place by the Australian team, Bangladesh coach Russell Domingo said that he didn't understand the protocols which have kept experienced Mushfiqur Rahim out of the series.
He, however, said that it is an opportunity to fringe players to prove themselves.
"I can't understand the stringent rules Australia placed. (It's) very disappointing the way they went about it. But look, we want to play against the best team in the world and it's an opportunity for other one or two younger players or fringe players to come and play and I am sure they are capable," said Russell Domingo in a virtual press conference ahead of the series.
"No Mushfiqur is surely a loss for us but we have got a big squad and some quality players to replace him,” he added.
Mushfiqur Rahim had earlier failed to make it to the bio-secure bubble on time. He was in contact with his parents who had tested positive for the Coronavirus after returning from Zimbabwe on 14 July.
Officials said that they tried to reduce the quarantine period to eight days, but Australia did not agree.
Opener and wicketkeeper Liton Das also failed to enter the bio-secure bubble on time resulting in him missing the series as well.
The Bangladesh coach said that his side had no major injuries and hence a chance at beating the world's fifth rank T20 international side.
"There is no major injury concern. Soumya Sarkar is recovering from a mild strain that he is carrying from Zimbabwe but I am pretty confident that he will be fit. Mitchell Starc and (Josh) Hazlewood are quality bowlers and we have looked at some of their footage. But at the end of the day you will play the ball not the man," he said.
Both the teams and the match officials are residing in the same hotel. Outsiders are not allowed in the hotel from 20 July. All the matches will be played at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium in Dhaka on 3, 4, 6, 7, and 9 August.
Bangladesh has never won a T20I match against Australia and it will be interesting to see if they break the jinx in this series.
(Inputs: AFP)
