Tamim thanks NZC for making things comfortable for the players during isolation

Bangladesh national team skipper for ODIs Tamim Iqbal thanked the New Zealand Cricket (NZC) for the facilities they were provided with during the quarantine and said that they are looking forward to the series that is set to begin on March 20.

The members of the team have already completed a two-week quarantine and while speaking to the journalists, Tamim said, "It feels great (to be out). We had been in a bubble before, but not in complete isolation like this. It is a difficult place to be but the way NZC arranged everything was great. They made us as comfortable as possible. We can only say 'thank you' from our team."

The cricketers were vaccinated against Covid-19 before flying to New Zealand and Tamim opined that all countries should take measures so that the sportsmen, as well as the mass people, get vaccinated. "That's the future. You have to take the vaccine at some stage. Our Prime Minister was well in advance of everything and she made sure not only cricketers but also the common people get vaccinated and that too for free."

Bangladesh's previous tour to New Zealand was called off midway because of a terrorist attack in a mosque in Christchurch. It was a terrifying experience as the cricketers narrowly survived. Tamim recalled the incident and thanked the Prime Minister of New Zealand for what she did at that time. "The way she addressed the matter was great and it was really appreciated by us and the people back in Bangladesh. If I ever get a chance to meet her, I would definitely thank her. Yes, it's an experience that we always try to forget. But apart from that, New Zealand is a great country to tour. We will never hesitate to come here," said Tamim.

Bangladesh are set to welcome Daniel Vettori, the team's spin bowling consultant who wasn't there with the team during the home series because of travel restrictions. He will join the team in Queenstown where the Tigers travel today and will set a five-day camp for their upcoming limited over series against New Zealand.

"He (Vettori) is already in Queenstown. We trained in small groups during the isolation period. From tomorrow, we will start fully-fledged practice. We have a few practice sessions and a practice match scheduled. We are looking forward to the series," Tamim concluded.

The series will kick off on March 20 with an ODI at the University Oval, Dunedin. The remaining two ODIs will be played on March 23 and 26 at the Hagley Oval, Christchurch, and Basin Reserve, Wellington respectively. 

The ODIs of this series are part of the ongoing World Cup Super Cup. The top seven teams of this event will qualify for the World Cup 2023 along with the hosts India.

Bangladesh played three matches of the World Cup Super League against the West Indies recently and came up victorious in all of them.

The T20Is will be played on March 28, 30, and April 1 at the Basin Reserve, Wellington, Basin Reserve, Wellington, and Eden Park, Auckland respectively.