Abu Jayed Rahi tests positive for Covid-19

The Bangladesh cricketing arena sighed relief after opener Saif Hassan, who had tested positive for Covid-19 earlier, had tested negative in the latest phase of testing from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). 

But that relief was short-lived as another member of the squad has tested positive. Abu Jayed Rahi, the right-arm seamer from Sylhet, has tested positive for Covid-19, informed BCB.

"The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) confirms that all players barring one have tested negative for Covid-19 from tests conducted on 22 September 2020," BCB's Media and Communications department said in a statement.

In the statement, BCB Sports Physician Dr Debashis Chowdhury confirmed that Rahi was the one who tested positive and said,"Pace bowler Abu Jayed Chowdhury Rahi has reported positive for Covid-19. He will receive treatment in isolation for Covid as per guidelines and will undergo further tests in due course."

The statement also informed that samples were collected from 27 cricketers called up to the Bangladesh Team Skill Camp with test results of 26 returning negative.

This puts Rahi's selection for the Sri Lanka tour in jeopardy. Despite the tour being unsure over a dispute between the boards over the quarantine period, BCB is currently moving forward with their plan. According to that, the cricketers will be tested again 72 hours before their flight on September 27. 

It can not be said yet that Rahi will not be a part of the Sri Lanka tour. If the result of the seamer's next Covid-19 test comes out negative, the seamer will be able to board the flight to Sri Lanka, if the series takes place. 

Bangladesh's tour of Sri Lanka is scheduled to start from October 24 where the hosts will face Bangladesh in a three-match Test series.