Ali Arman, the reserve umpire in both of today’s Bangabandhu Cup T20 matches, has been withdrawn after he tested positive for Covid-19. Arman has already left the BCB-mandated bio-bubble hotel in Dhaka, according to Dr Debashish Chowdhury, the BCB’s chief physician.
Dr Chowdhury also said that Mahmudul Hasan, the Under-19 batsman who was picked by Gazi Group Chattogram in the players’ draft, had also tested positive for Covid-19 last week.
“Joy (Mahmudul Hasan) is in our quarantine facilities, but umpire Rajon (Ali Arman) has left the hotel and is likely to be at his home,” Chowdhury said.
Chattogram have confirmed that they will not replace Hasan and will instead wait for him to recover fully to be brought back into the squad.
All the players and match officials – except the scorers – have been based in the BCB’s bio-bubble after being tested prior to the T20 tournament.
Arman, a former first-class cricketer, was supposed to play back-up to the main umpires in today’s matches between Chattogram and Gemcon Khulna, as well as between Fortune Barishal and Minister Group Rajshahi.
Earlier this month, Bangladesh’s T20I captain Mahmudullah, Test captain Mominul Haque and selector Habibul Bashar recovered from the condition. Mahmudullah and Haque are both currently playing in the Bangabandhu T20 Cup.
Source: ESPN Crickinfo