Bangladesh breath easy after Aussies confirm tour
dhaka — Bangladesh breathed a sigh of relief on Thursday as Australia ended their protracted pay dispute with their cricket board, ensuring Steve Smith’s side can visit later this month for a long-awaited tour.
Australia were due to arrive in Dhaka on August 18 for their first Test series in Bangladesh since 2006 but a row between players and management had cast doubts over the tour.
But the bruising dispute was resolved on Thursday as players and management agreed to a new “in-principle” deal, ensuring upcoming series against Bangladesh, India and England can go ahead.
“It’s great news for Bangladesh. Definitely we are very happy to see the problem has resolved,” Bangladesh Cricket Board head Nizamuddin Chowdhury told AFP.
“Their next commitment is in Bangladesh. Now after the dispute is resolved, we can look forward to hosting them.”
Bangladeshi authorities grew increasingly anxious as the pay dispute dragged on in Australia, especially when a home series against Pakistan slated for JulyAugust was cancelled.
Australia were scheduled to play two Tests in Bangladesh in late 2015 but the tour was cancelled after a wave of attacks by extremists.
Bangladesh’s first Test against Australia will be held at Dhaka’s Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium from August 27. The second starts in Chittagong on September 4. —
Definitely we are very happy to see the problem has resolved Nizamuddin Chowdhury