DPL starts despite coronavirus outbreak

With the coronavirus pandemic causing different sporting events from across the globe to stop, the Bangabandhu Dhaka Premier League (DPL) will be getting underway from Sunday.

There are no patients with coronavirus in Bangladesh at the moment according to the government's Institute of Epidemiology Disease Control and Research (IEDCR).

The organisation had previously reported three patients in Bangladesh affected by coronavirus but they have all made a successful recovery. 

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury has assured that all forms of precautionary measures will be taken during the DPL. 

"With the coronavirus pandemic in mind, we are following all the steps and precautions that the government has advised. We have contacted the clubs and informed them about this and there will also be a team meeting today (Saturday)," Nizamuddin said at the title sponsor announcement ceremony.     

"If a player or official feels ill or shows any symptoms of illness, they have been told to contact the BCB medical team and let their club know. The clubs should keep contact with us and we'll take the necessary steps," the CEO added. 

Nizmuddin also warns players about not shaking hands: "With how things are going at the moment, I would advise against shaking hands. The clubs need to maintain these things. And about the crowds as well, there might not be any restrictions, but we will take all the precautionary measures." 

Bangladesh are scheduled to tour Pakistan in April for the third leg of their tour but that has come under a cloud: "Pakistan are the organisers and they will take a decision here. We will see what decision they take. Their local twenty20 (T20) league Pakistan Super League (PSL) is taking place. But 9-10 foreign players have left due to the coronavirus outbreak. We can take a decision on the tour as the visiting team, but we are waiting for the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) decision and our hope is they will come to a decision very swiftly."