Rain turns U-19s’ key warm-ups into damp squibs ahead of WC
Rain turns U-19s’ key warm-ups into damp squibs ahead of WC
Rain has emerged as a major impediment to Bangladesh Under-19s’ World Cup preparations since the team’s arrival in Zimbabwe.
Although
conditions were favourable during the initial days, persistent rain has
disrupted key preparation plans, with Saturday’s practice match against
Pakistan U-19s ending in a no result after Bangladesh batted for 36.3 overs at
the Masvingo Sports Club.
Zimbabwe
“The weather was good for the first two or three days when
we were in Harare. In between, the weather wasn’t good and we are returning to
Harare today, where there are forecasts of rain. It’s difficult to predict
whether there will be rain. This is the rainy season here and we were aware of
that before coming. There has been heavy rain, but it doesn’t last long before
clouds roll in again,” team manager Mohammed Ehsanul Haque told The Daily Star.
Rain began even before the start of Saturday’s match, and
team management sources said interruptions occurred every five to six overs.
Bangladesh reached 152 for seven before the game was eventually abandoned after
play was halted six to seven times.
“The rain is obviously making preparations difficult.
Yesterday against Pakistan we lost the toss and had to bat, and completing the
match would have been important for our preparation. But in the actual
tournament, umpires will not allow play to continue in such conditions,”
Ehsanul said.
The Bangladesh team travelled back to Harare on Sunday,
where they have a practice session scheduled for Monday ahead of their warm-up
match against Scotland on Tuesday. There is also concern about adjusting to
playing conditions, as Bangladesh’s practice matches were held in Masvingo and
Harare, while their tournament matches will be played in Bulawayo.
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