BCB considering increased breaks for Afghanistan Test
by Atif Azam • Published on Thu, Jun 8, 2023, 09:39 PM
Bangladesh Cricket Board is considering the idea of increasing the number of breaks during the one-match Test series against Afghanistan, due to excessive heat. The Test is scheduled to be played at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium from June 14.
Heat seems to be a major concern for the hosts, who are playing only their second Test in June at their own backyard, with the other one played against India in 2015 at Fatullah. The temperature touched 38 degrees on Wednesday.
BCB have taken several measures to make sure that their cricketers are able to withstand the heat that seemed to have had taken a toll on them in the preparation camp ahead of the Test.
"Look, we would like that the number of breaks are increased in the Test match against Afghanistan," BCB chief physician Debashish Chowdhury told Cricbuzz on Thursday. "During the series against West Indies 'A', we decided to increase the number of breaks as both parties agreed to it. Whether it will happen in the Test match can be decided only by the match referee or the members of the team. From a medical point of view and taking the players' health into consideration, we would like to have more breaks in the game.
"There are three sessions in a Test match and there is a drinks break in every session apart from the lunch and tea breaks. But if we can have two drink breaks instead of one, it could be helpful. Apart from that, the cricketers should get permission to drink water or go into the shade whenever they need to, to get some respite from the heat."
Shahriar Nafees, BCB's cricket operation manager, told Cricbuzz that if both the teams agree, more breaks can be introduced in the upcoming Test.
"Before the start of the match there will be a meeting between the match referee and the captain of the two sides along with the managers. If there it is felt that more breaks are required, there should be no problem with it," said Shahriar.
A senior umpire on request of anonymity said that it is easier said than done considering it might have an effect on the timing of the game.
"Look, I am not sure whether it is possible or not (more breaks in a Test match) considering the game is played for six hours and if more time is consumed through breaks, it might be a problem managing the play in time," he said.
BCB chief physician insisted that for the time being their major focus is to make sure that cricketers take proper steps to prevent dehydration, and as part of it, they are urging them to have clockwise feeding (drinking water) instead of demand-based feeding," he said.
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