1st Test at Rawalpindi from Feb 7: Bangladesh team due on Feb 4

ISLAMABAD: As Bangladesh cricketers are set to arrive Islamabad in early hours on February 4.Bangladesh cricket team were earlier due to arrive Pakistan on February 5. They are scheduled to hold two net sessions before the first Test starting at the Pindi Stadium from February 7. “After February 4 rest, Bangladesh cricket team will have nets on February 5 and February 6 at the Pindi Stadium,” a PCB official when contacted said.

Meanwhile Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Nazmul Hassan admitted raising a competitive outfit had been a real challenge for his country in recent times. “We are struggling following Shakibul Hasan exit from the international cricket to raise a strong outfit for international cricket. With Mushfiqur Rahim also sitting out with hamstring and domestic commitments, establishing a competitive outfit for international matches has become a real challenge for Bangladesh,” BCB president said in a chat with media in Mirpur (Bangladesh).

He said all these months the BCB had been facing one after another issue creating hurdles in team’s progress.

“You have to understand that we are facing issues not only with the combination of team but also with the management. It was a big setback when we were informed ahead of the Indian tour a few months back that Shakib would not be available. It is difficult to find his replacement so early. A totally fresh talent needs time to settle down. Even Tamim Iqbal opted out of Indian tour. Now Mushfiq is staying out of Pakistan tours. So we have been facing problems with the combination of the team for international matches. Had we knew well in time about missing such big names for international matches, we could have chalked up an alternate plan. Now we have been left struggling.”

He rued missing Mushfiq for Test cricket. “We have a Test next against Pakistan and there is no one who can be more dependable than Mushfiq. His quality and contribution for Bangladesh cricket has been second to none. So problem lies with the unavailability of senior players.” To add to Bangladesh cricket miseries, Sri Lanka origin fitness and training coach of their national cricket outfit Mario Villavarayan has tendered resignation Thursday.

Villavarayan wants to oversee IPL side for which he left his six years association with Bangladesh team. Though Bangladesh Board has accepted his resignation, it has yet to announce Villavarayan release date.