Bangladesh’s Ireland tour in May postponed

Bangladesh’s tour of Ireland in May has been postponed amid the coronavirus fears as per reports in ESPNcricinfo. The teams were set to take part in three ODIs at the Civil Service Cricket Club in Belfast from May 14 to 19 and also four T20Is. Ireland has had to bear the brunt of the COVID-19 to quite a significant extent. Nearly 700 cases and three deaths have been reported thus far.

In fact, the whole of the United Kingdom (UK) isn’t going through the best of times. Around 4,000 cases and 177 deaths have come to the fore. Dr Tony Holohan, the Irish Department of Health chief medical officer, said that it’s not time for any sort of complacency. He also highlighted the importance of social distancing and taking the much important precautionary steps.

As far as developments regarding cricket in UK is concerned, even England’s home Tests against the West Indies, starting in June, is under the clouds due to the chaos over the last few days. In the wake of the deadly pandemic, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has lately confirmed that England won’t be taking part in any professional cricket before May 28.

Bangladesh cricket taking a halt

Like every other country, even Bangladesh cricket has been deeply affected by the commotion caused by the virus. The Tigers were scheduled to travel Pakistan for a solitary ODI and a match in the World Test Championship. Both the games were to be played at the iconic National Stadium in Karachi. Nevertheless, both the matches have been put to a halt for the time being.

The Bangabandhu Dhaka Premier League (DPL) 50-over tournament was also suspended. Nazmul Hasan Papon, the chief of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) stated that cricket in the country would remain suspended until the situation surrounding the coronavirus gets better. Bangladesh already played the T20Is and a Test in the first two legs of their tour of Pakistan.

Among other international tournaments, New Zealand’s tour of Australia and South Africa’s tour of India have also been postponed. A few games in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) were being played behind closed doors before the tournament authorities decided to call it off before the semis. Even the start of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has been postponed from March 29 to April 15.