Bangladesh batsman Saif Hassan tests positive for Covid-19

Bangladesh batsman Saif Hassan and Nick Lee, the team's new strength and conditioning coach, have both tested positive for Covid-19 following the first round of tests conducted by the BCB on Monday. Both members of the squad will go into self-isolation until they get tested again.

Hassan, who made his Test debut earlier this year, was one of the late entrants to individual training at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur. Cricday understands that Lee has returned two positive tests, the latest one after arriving in Dhaka.

"Our consultant for Covid-19 is reviewing Lee's case to determine whether it is a new or previous infection before advising on the management plan," BCB's Sports Physician Dr Debashis Chowdhury said.

The training camp for the Sri Lanka tour in October-November is likely to take place later this month. BCB is planning to keep the players at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon hotel in Dhaka and conduct a closed-door camp across town in Mirpur. The Bangladesh Test squad and the BCB's High Performance Unit side are likely to leave for Colombo on September 27.

There have been more than 300,000 Covid-19 cases in Bangladesh, with over 4500 deaths.

The upcoming tour to Sri Lanka is Bangladesh's only confirmed international assignment this year although the BCB has said that the one remaining Test from their two-match series against Pakistan and the other postponed series will all be played in the future.