BCB postpones Mujib Barsha T20s, AR Rahman concert for coronavirus

The global coronavirus outbreak has forced the Bangladesh Cricket Board to postpone two Twenty20 matches and a concert that were to take place in celebration of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s birth centenary.

New dates for the matches between Asian XI and World XI, and the concert of Oscar-winning Indian musician AR Rahman will be announced later, the BCB said on Wednesday after the first coronavirus cases in Bangladesh were reported earlier this week.    

The matches had been scheduled for Mar 21-22 and the concert for Mar 18, but the postponement became almost certain with the cancellation of sports and other events across the globe to prevent the spread of the deadly virus.    

The authorities have already announced restrictions on public gatherings for the opening ceremonies of the yearlong celebrations of Bangabandhu’s centenary throughout the country. The main event for Mar 17 has been postponed.

BCB President Nazmul Hassan told reporters they would discuss new schedule for the matches and the concert once the situation improves.

The concert could be held with a limited presence of audience, but the BCB decided to continue with its plan for a large gathering while the coronavirus outbreak made the players’ arrival uncertain, he explained.

He also said the BCB would soon decide on the third round of Bangladesh tour of Pakistan for the second Test and a One-Day International in Karachi, where the authorities closed educational institutions amid the coronavirus scare.

The Tigers were scheduled to leave for the matches later in March.