We are just playing one Test along with T20Is and ODIs against Afghanistan due to a tight schedule – BCB cricket operation chairman
The Bangladesh Cricket Board said that they have scrapped one Test from the upcoming home series against Afghanistan while BCB cricket operation chairman Jalal Yunus told reporters that their schedule was very tight and that they want to focus more on white-ball cricket in preparation for World Cup.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board said that they have scrapped one Test from the upcoming home series against Afghanistan, scheduled in June. According to original itinerary, Bangladesh was scheduled to host Afghanistan for a series that includes two Test matches, three ODIs, and three T20Is. However, the BCB stated that a “tight schedule” forced them to cancel one Test.
BCB cricket operation chairman Jalal Yunus told reporters that their schedule was very tight and that they want to focus more on white-ball cricket in preparation for the upcoming 50-over World Cup, which will be held in India later this year.
“We will play one Test along with T20Is and ODIs. There were two Tests but we have reduced it to one because our schedule is very tight (ahead of the next World Cup). We will play the other Test at some other time but for now, we are just playing one Test,”
Yunus told reporters on Sunday (April 30).
However, BCB hasn’t been able to finalize its plan to hold a 10-day-long skill camp in Bangalore or the UAE, with the schedule for the World Cup not yet announced. Yunus said that if they are unable to arrange any skill camp abroad, they will train at home ahead of the global tournament.
“Look, the schedule will be prepared by ICC with the cooperation of India as they are the host. We are waiting for the schedule as we are yet to know in which venue we will playing and when we get that we can understand where we stand (as far as preparation is concerned),”
he said.
“The practice camp is related to the schedule and if we could get the date we (could have planned something) because you all know before that we have the Asia Cup and after that we will hardly get any time. We need the schedule as quickly as possible because this is very important for us to plan for our preparation ahead of the tournament.
“I don’t think if we cannot prepare abroad then that will be a big problem for us. All the ODI matches that we will be playing ahead of the World Cup we will consider that as part of our preparation for the mega tournament,”
he added.
Bangladesh left for England on May 1 to play three ODIs against Ireland, scheduled at Chelmsford on May 9, 12 and 14. This will be part of the World Cup Super League.