Bangladesh’s ongoing political instability caused their scheduled training sessions to be postponed, which caused damage to their preparations for the upcoming two-match series against Pakistan. With the government declaring a statewide curfew for an undisclosed period, BCB officials said on Sunday, August 3, that they were unsure when they could announce the date of the next practice session.

On August 17, Bangladesh is slated to depart for Pakistan for a two-match Test series that is a part of the ICC World Test Championship. The first Test of the series is scheduled for Rawalpindi, from August 21–25, while the second Test will take place in Karachi from August 30 to September 3.

“We are not sure when we can hold the practice because there is a curfew for an indefinite period. Our administration is looking after the matter and we can get a better understanding of the situation after they brief us about the present condition,” a BCB official said.

In a statement, Bangladesh’s home ministry stated that the curfew will remain in place until further notice.  “The curfew will be enforced from 6 am on Sunday (August 4) and continued for an indefinite period. A curfew has been enforced in all divisional cities, city corporations, municipalities, industrial areas, district headquarters, and upazila headquarters, including Dhaka metropolitan, until further notice,” read the statement of the home ministry.

Head coach Chandika Hathurusingha, who arrived in Dhaka on August 1, was to lead Bangladesh’s skill training session at SBNS starting on Sunday. The other coaching staff members are in Dhaka as well, including Nathan Kelly, David Hemp, Nick Pothas, and Mushtaq Ahmed, who are the pace bowling coach, spin bowling coach, and batting coach, respectively.