The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Monday confirmed the fact that they are trying to reschedule the upcoming home series against Australia and New Zealand. Both the neighbouring nations were scheduled to visit Bangladesh for a three-match T20I series which will be part of preparations for the upcoming T20 World Cup slated to be held in India in October-November 2021.
As per the original schedule, New Zealand was supposed to visit early for the three-match series followed by Australia. But now BCB is trying to accommodate the Australia series earlier followed by the New Zealand series. The Aussies are expected to arrive in Bangladesh first, exactly after their tour of West Indies. Meanwhile, the Black Caps is expected to reach Bangladesh in early August. Talks have been going around to make the series against Australia a five series rubber rather than a three-match affair.
Former Bangladesh captain and currently the chairman of Bangladesh’s cricket operations, Akram Khan announced their plans during an interaction with Cricbuzz. "Australia will come to Bangladesh after playing with West Indies in late July or early August while New Zealand will follow them later," he said.
Meanwhile, it must be noted that both Australia and New Zealand had cancelled their two-match Test series against Bangladesh owing to the pandemic. Both the series was part of the ICC World Test Championship. Coming back to the change in schedule, it looks highly unlikely now that a Tri-nation series also involving Australia and England can be materialised.
Following the three-match T20I series against Australia and New Zealand, England will visit Bangladesh for a three-match ODI and T20I series. Meanwhile the Bangla Tigers is also slated to travel to Zimbabwe in June for a full series including two Tests, three ODI’s and three T20Is.