Cricketers focused on maintaining fitness despite Eid holidays

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has given cricketers a break from training because of Eid and the holidays could go on till 9 August. 

But that hasn't stopped some cricketers from working on their fitness and trying to stay in peak condition. 

Veteran left-arm spinner Enamul Haque Jnr and young pacer Khaled Ahmed, both started training the day after Eid in Sylhet's divisional stadium. 

Alongside, wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim has also been working on his fitness as usual. 

Enamul and Khaled got out on Sunday morning to run four kilometres in 22 minutes, and they completed their task in 21 minutes. 

Enamul, who was one of the star performers in helping Bangladesh win their first-ever Test told The Business Standard: "This Eid was a bit different from the others cause we couldn't go out much due to the Covid-19 situation. We got out to pray in the mosque on Eid and that's it."

Since it's Qurbani Eid, there is a tendency for everyone to eat more than usual and that's why Enamul has started working on his fitness as soon as possible: "The ground is also close to my house and Khaled (Ahmed) also came and joined me in running."

"Now everyone is aware of what to do with their fitness. I saw Mushfiqur Rahim running on the treadmill and I feel we will see a fitter Bangladesh team when cricket resumes as everyone is working hard on their fitness," Enamul added. 

Khaled has created a routine for himself and is working according to that: "Aside from the regular training, I have a particular routine for myself and I'm following that. I had running on my list today and Enamul Bhai joined me today. He's also very fit now."

"If I eat too much red meat, I won't be able to maintain my fitness and even the day before Eid, I went to the gym. If I'm not going to train regularly, I'll lose my fitness and I'm trying to maintain that. According to my routine, I have to workout at home tomorrow," Khaled explained. 

Mushfiqur Rahim is known to be a fitness freak and videos and pictures of him working out at home during the pandemic has been a common thing for the country's premier batsman.

He shared a video of him running on the treadmill on his Facebook page with the caption "Eid special workout".

Ten cricketers have started training organised by the BCB since 19 July and the training was scheduled to end on 26 July but due to requests from the cricketers, the training has been extended to 21 July.

The number of crickets participating in the training has also increased from 10-13 and they are training in four venues across the country.