Tri-series matches advanced by half an hour

Mirpur:

In a bid to minimise the dew factor as suggested by Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Sri Lankan skipper Kumar Sangakkara, the Bangladesh Cricket Board on Thursday said remaining four matches of the ongoing tri-series will start half an hour earlier at 1330 hrs IST.

BCB media committee chairman Younus Jalal said NEO channel, Bangladesh TV and Super Sport have agreed to advance the start time to tackle the heavy dew at night.

Dhoni and Sangakkara had stated that toss had become the deciding factor with dew at night making it difficult for bowlers, especially the spinners, to grip the ball.

"In view of the dew at night we have reached an understanding with the broadcasters to start the match half an hour early from tomorrow onwards. We had wanted one hour early start but it is OK the teams have accepted the half an hour early start," Jalal told reporters.

"We had not anticipated that so much dew will be there at this time of the year," he added.

Jalal did not see any problem for NEO Cricket's telecast of the matches in Europe, saying, "The matches start in the morning in Europe and advancing half and hour won't be a problem," he said.

The tournament opener between Sri Lanka and hosts Bangladesh saw heavy due at night but conditions had improved since then.