BCB prepares a compact two-year schedule 2021-2022

|| CF Correspondent ||

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has prepared a two-year compact schedule (2021-2022), where the BCB showed their capability of diplomacy cricket. They will host India in November-December 2022 after a long hiatus.

Team India will travel to Bangladesh in November 21 and stay in December 16 for two tests and three ODIs

Bangladesh will play 57 and 54 international matches across the formats respectively in the two-year schedule.

On the basis of consultation with different boards across the globe, they have arranged a slew of international matches in all the formats of the games outside of the World Test Championship (WTC) and newly-introduced ODI Super League.

A string of bilateral series has been suspended because of the devastating coronavirus pandemic. The series Bangladesh are going to play in October-November in Sri Lanka against the hosts was suspended previously.

But the series finally rescheduled after holding an effective discussion between Bangladesh Cricket Board and its Sri Lankan counterparts Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).

Of them, Bangladesh will play a total of nine bilateral series beside ACC Twenty20 Asia Cup and ICC World T20 in 2021. Bangladesh will play 11 series and tournaments in 12-month-span of time.

They will play 11 Tests coupled with 15 ODIs and at least 31 T20Is but the number of T20 matches might be changed because of the two extravaganza events-Twenty20 Asia Cup and World Twenty20.

The BCB is also planning to play a tri-nation series. In that case, the number of matches might be changed.

In January, West Indies will come to Bangladesh and play three Tests and as many ODIs beside a two-match Twenty20 International series. Tigers will start their qualifying for the 2023 World Cup with the three-match ODI series against the Caribbean sides.

In February, Bangladesh will travel to New Zealand for a three-match ODI series and as many T20Is. The ODI series will also be a part of the qualifying round for the 2023 World Cup. It’ll be tough for Bangladesh to win the series against Kiwis in their own backyard from February 23 to March 20.

In May (18-29), Sri Lanka will come to visit Bangladesh for a three-match ODI series which is a part of the qualifying round for the 2023 World Cup. The series was scheduled to take place in December but both the cricket boards deferred it to 2021.

In June, the 2021 T20 Asia Cup is slated to be held. Bangladesh in 2018 played the final of the Asia Cup in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where they played six matches. This time they have the possibility of playing the final.

In June, Bangladesh will fly to Zimbabwe for two Tests and three ODIs (June 18 to July 28). The ODI series is a part of the qualifying round for the 2023 World Cup. It’s always tough to play on foreign conditions but when we play against a team like Zimbabwe we can aim to win the series.

In August, New Zealand will come to visit Bangladesh for two Test matches. The series was scheduled to play in 2020 but due to the COVID-19, the series was suspended for an indefinite period. Finally talking with the Kiwis cricket board, Bangladesh arranged the series in August 2021.

Australia will come here in Bangladesh in September (6-14) to play a three-match T20 series. Bangladesh had a two-match Test series against the Aussie but it has been suspended for the deadly virus. It has no sign to be held any longer.

BCB is mulling to organize a T20 tri-nation series with the involvement of Australia and New Zealand but they are yet to get any possible vibe from Cricket Australia (CA). When they will get a green signal from the CA and then they will move forward with the planning.

In September, England will come to visit Bangladesh for three ODIs and as many T20Is (September 20-October 11). The ODI series will be a part of the qualifying round for the 2023 World Cup. Though England are World Championship, the matches will be held on home soil. So there is an expectation for the home side.

In October, Bangladesh will go to India to play the 2021 World Cup, where they will play at least eight matches (from October to November 14.) They will play three matches in the qualifying round and five matches in the next round if they fail to qualify for the Super league phase.

In November, Pakistan will come to Bangladesh to play two Tests and three T20Is (November 16 to December 14. The series is totally out of the WTC and Super League. Consulting with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Bangladesh will organize these series.  

In December, Bangladesh will visit New Zealand to play a two-Test series (December 17, 2021 to January 8, 2022).  

In 2022, Bangladesh will play a total of 54 matches along with World Cup matches. Of them, there are nine Tests, 20 ODIs and 25 T20Is.

In February, Afghanistan will come to visit Bangladesh for three ODIs and two T20Is. Bangladesh will have an expectation to whitewash them on their territory though it will not be easier for the home side because the visitors played well against Bangladesh whether it is home or away pitches.

In March (9 to April 10), South Africa will visit Bangladesh to play two Tests and three ODI matches. The three-match ODI series will also be a part of the qualifying round for the 2023 World Cup. Virtually it’ll be the last series for Bangladesh for the 2023 World Cup Qualifying round.

Bangladesh had a series with Ireland but the series had been suspended due to the highly contagious virus. Both the boards are yet to show any interest to reschedule the series.

In May (9 to 29), Sri Lanka will come to Bangladesh for two Tests.

In June, Bangladesh will tour the West Indies for two Tests coupled with three ODIs and as many T20Is.

In July, Bangladesh will visit Zimbabwe for a five-match ODI series along with three T20Is.

In September (2-28), Asia Cup is scheduled to take place where Bangladesh are supposed to play at least six T20 matches.

In October (2-30), New Zealand are slated to come here in Bangladesh for a one-off Test along with three ODIs and as many T20Is.

ICC T20 World Cup in Australia is slated to take place in October-November 13, where Bangladesh are scheduled to play at least eight matches.

The much-expected tour for India in Bangladesh for whom Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and fans of both countries eagerly wait for it. Team India will travel to Bangladesh on November 21 and stay on December 16 for two tests and three ODIs.