Tigers enjoy first team practice in ‘heavenly Queenstown’

Situated in the foothills of the stunning mountain range aptly called The Remarkables, John Davies Oval in Queenstown is considered one of the most beautiful cricket venues in the world.

And hence, it was not an overstatement by Bangladesh opening batsman Liton Das when he described it as "Heavenly Queenstown" when posting a selfie with his teammates after their first practice session at the picturesque ground.

Bangladesh practised as a team for the first time yesterday since arriving in New Zealand on February 24. The 20-member squad took part in a four-hour practice session in Queenstown.

Things were however not so bright and scenic for the Tigers initially as they had to undergo a 14-day mandatory managed isolation and quarantine period in Christchurch before they left for Queenstown on Wednesday for a five-day conditioning camp. And the mandatory quarantine period took its toll on many as the visitors had to stay inside their hotel rooms for the first six days, prompting Mehedi Hasan Miraz to even describe it as time spent in jail.

They were only allowed to roam around inside the hotel premises for 30 minutes each day after having spent the first 48 hours after arrival in complete self-isolation.

They could only use the gym and practise in small groups of seven for the final seven days of their mandatory quarantine and that too after testing negative for coronavirus thrice within the first six days of self-isolation.

They also tested negative in their fourth and final round of coronavirus tests in New Zealand before leaving Christchurch. With no more coronavirus tests scheduled and having completed the mandatory quarantine period, the Tigers can now roam freely around the country without having to adhere to any bio-bubble or other complex health protocols, thanks to there being very few new cases in New Zealand.

And the freed Tigers' delight was certainly apparent in their social media posts yesterday.

"This is one of the most beautiful places with the most beautiful field I have ever seen in my life till now," wrote young left-arm pacer Shoriful Islam, sharing a picture of himself with Liton and another youngster Mahedi Hasan.

"Alhamdulillah, Ma Shah Allah what a place to play cricket," is how both Mushfiqur Rahim and Mohammad Saifuddin expressed their feelings after yesterday's practice session.

The likes of Hasan Mahmud, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed posted pictures of themselves enjoying the scenic views of Lake Wakatipu, near the Queenstown ground, where they went sightseeing after practice.

All-rounder Afif Hossain was left reminiscing memories from his Under-19 World Cup in 2018.

"Lots of memories in this ground while we played U19 World Cup in 2018. Time flies but memories last forever," wrote Afif along with his picture at the ground.

"Just beautiful," is how Bangladesh Cricket Board's media committee chairman Mohammed Jalal Yunus, who is currently with the team in New Zealand, described the beautiful place when contacted over the phone by The Daily Star yesterday.

"Even during their practice session, all the players really enjoyed the natural beauty of this place," added Jalal Yunus.