Australia, New Zealand set to tour Bangladesh for T20Is
What's the story
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), on Wednesday, announced the nation will host a three-match T20I series against Australia and New Zealand in September-October 2021.
Notably, the two series are planned as a lead-up to the 2021 ICC T20 WC, slated in India.
Australia and NZ had previously postponed their Test series against Bangladesh amid COVID-19 pandemic, that were a part of the ICC WTC.
Tours
England might also tour Bangladesh
Australia will likely tour in October, while NZ are expected to arrive before them as part of preparation ahead of the T20 WC.
Besides that, the BCB chief executive Nizamuddin Chowdhury added that England will also tour the country for three ODIs and as many T20Is following the Australia series.
There is also a possibility of tri-nation series involving Bangladesh, Australia and England.
Tri-series
No confirmation on the tri-series
Although Chowdhury refrained from speaking on the tri-series (Australia and England), he didn't rule out the possibility either.
"The England series is already in the FTP. We don't want to comment anything about the T20 tri-nation tournament because everyone needs to agree and we can get a clear picture when we get closer to the dates," he added.
Do you know?
Australia, NZ haven't played a bilateral T20I series in Bangladesh
Interestingly, both Australia and New Zealand haven't ever toured Bangladesh for a bilateral T20I series. They have played only one T20I each in the nation during the 2014 World T20. Bangladesh lost both the encounters respectively.
Tests
No possibility of rescheduling the remaining Tests
Australia and New Zealand were expected to tour Bangladesh in June and August-September respectively. However, the Test series were called-off.
Choudhury said that the chances of rescheduling the postponed Test matches against Australia and New Zealand, which were a part of the ICC World Test Championship, are less as they don't have enough window to play the remaining matches.
Slot
Bangladesh might play a Test series against Sri Lanka
The only slot available to reschedule the series before WTC cut-off dates has been reserved for a series against Sri Lanka.
"I don't think there is a possibility of playing those Tests as the final is in April. We have a slot available in April to play a Test series against Sri Lanka and we are trying to fix dates for those," concluded Choudhury.