DHAKA – Bangladesh ODI skipper Tamim Iqbal praised Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s initiatives for bringing the people of the country under vaccination much faster than other countries to combat novel
coronavirus (Covid-19).
Bangladesh cricketers including Tamim Iqbal were vaccinated ahead of leaving the country for New Zealand for three-match ODI which grabbed attention of the media in that country.
They were keen to know the experience of the Tigers about the vaccine. “I think this (vaccine) is the future,” Tamim said in a recorded video message sent by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) from New Zealand.
“Everyone has to take it at some stage. Our country has done a great job. Our Prime Minister played a leading role in ensuring vaccine for all of us. She has already made all arrangements and thereby done a great job.”
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s vaccination initiative to prevent the spread of the deadly virus and to protect the people of the country has gained a reputation not only in the country but also abroad.
Moreover, the New Zealand Cricket Board and the government of the country (Covid Control Authority) are fully aware of the fact that Tamim Iqbal and several others have left the country after receiving vaccine.
Maybe that’s why after the 14-day quarantine of Team Bangladesh in Christchurch, the country’s media wanted to know the experience of vaccination from Tamim Iqbal. Tamim also frankly opened up about his experience.
“We are very fortunate as a nation. Not only us (cricketers), the common people are also getting vaccinated and the best thing is that it is free for everyone. I am proud of what we have done as a nation. I’m sure other countries will follow the path sooner or later, everyone will have to take it. I took the first dose. I didn’t feel bad, didn’t feel anything. Everything was great,” Tamim remarked.
Bangladesh meanwhile ended the mandatory 14-day quarantine of the New Zealand tour today. The MIQ (Managed Isolation & Quarantine) of New Zealand is very happy with the discipline of the Bangladesh team and the overall
cooperation of the players and team management on the quarantine issue.
The MIQ also flooded the visiting team with rave reviews. The Bangladesh team however left Christchurch for Queenstown, where they will start their original practice camp. They will stay there for practice till March 16,
before leaving for Dunedin, where the Tigers will play their first ODI against New Zealand. The second ODI is in Christchurch on March 23 and the third and final in Wellington on March 26.
The first match of the three-match T20 series will be played on March 28 in Hamilton. The second match is on March 30 in Napier and the third game is on April 1 in Auckland.BSS
