Covid-19 Effect: Bangladesh Takes Cricket Trials Over WhatsApp

Bangladesh Cricket Board (Bangladesh Cricket Board)

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has announced an innovative program wherein age group cricketers can give preliminary trials over WhatsApp amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

The board has formed three WhatsApp groups (one each for the Under-14, Under-16 and Under-18 age-groups) for each of the 64 districts and eight divisions, and eight others -- based on zones -- for the Dhaka metropolis area and the players would be required to send their videos on these groups, as per a report in the Daily Times.

The regional coaches will then assess the videos to select around 35 to 40 players for each age-group of the particular district, division, and Dhaka metro. The selected players will then take part in a proper in-person trial and from there they will be selected for their district or division age-group squads, which usually have 15 players.

"They (players) have been asked to send their video to the respective district and divisional coaches' WhatsApp number. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, that's how BCB is going to launch their talent hunt this year," a source in Bangladesh told IANS.

When asked about the chances of manipulation, the source said: "We haven't gone that far yet as it has just now been declared."

According to BCB's game-development manager AEM Kawser, conducting a trial for 500 or more players at a venue is "not suitable" in the present times. "Health safety is a real concern, but we have to continue our player development pathway," Kawser said as per the Daily Times.

He further stated BCB's nationwide age-group tournaments would be held once the Covid-19 situation improves.