WI vs BAN | Bangladesh players arrive safely in Dominica after traumatic sea voyage

Bangladesh, currently preparing for the upcoming T20I series against West Indies, were exposed to a poor travel experience en route to Dominica.

The visiting side embarked on a ferry ride from Saint Lucia to the venue for the first two T20Is, during which several players were affected by seasickness. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), however, has communicated the safe arrival of the players to Dominica, where the 1st T20I begins on July 2.

Speaking to The Daily Star, BCB CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury said, "They reached safely. It was confirmed to me by the team management. We were in continuous communication yesterday. No doubt, it was a bad experience for the players. We saw some players suffer while some enjoyed themselves. But the main thing is it was not at all a good journey for Bangladesh."

He further added that few players had asked for flights to be arranged during their 2-hour stay over at Martinique Island.

"When on a two-hour-long break in the Martinique island, players contacted me for arranging a flight for their remainder of the journey [from Martinique Island to Dominica]. I, accordingly, communicated with West Indies Cricket Board officials,"

"But as the area [Martinique Island] is part of French territory, managing visas and other documents were difficult. It was also a bit of bad luck that the weather too, was unforgiving. It is understandable the way Bangladesh players reacted," he explained.

Fittingly, questions have arisen over such an arrangement, to which the CEO said that the touring party had no other option besides taking the sea route.

"Yes, we were concerned regarding the issue. But the first thing is that it is the host country that always arranges this [transportations for players from one state to another]. Still, we did show our concern about this. But the problem was that the Windies official wanted to send contingents of both sides together as it is their standard practice.

"However, they could not arrange a charter flight to carry both contingents at once. Also, due to Covid restrictions, only flights with fewer seating capacities were available. And hence, they opted for the ferry. We did show our concern regarding this, but they assured us that things would be fine as the Windies team would also travel with the Tigers. The thing is, we can relay our concern to them, but the final call about making travel arrangements is made by the host country," Chowdhury claimed.

Chowdhury made it clear that all players would be fit ahead of the first match.

"I talked with physio Bayjedul [Islam], and he assured that the players reached safely and that there would not be any repercussions as players will be able to recover after a day's rest. He [Bayjedul] also informed that the fact that a few players did not have a proper sleep the night before coupled with their dietary issues could have aggravated the situation," he concluded.