UAE set to host Bangladesh in two-match series ahead of WC
Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) and Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) have on Thursday announced the ‘SKYEXCH UAE vsbangladeshfriendship series’.
Both the teams will play two Twenty20 international matches as part of their build-up for the World Cup in Australia.
The two matches will be held on Sept.25 and 27 in Dubai, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) said in a joint statement with its UAE counterpart Emirates Cricket Board.
Mubashshir Usmani, General Secretary Emirates Cricket Board, said: “Emirates Cricket Board is very pleased to welcome Bangladesh to the UAE and we are delighted to host the ‘SKYEXCH UAE vs Bangladesh Friendship series.
“This is a great opportunity for both our teams to fine-tune their T20 skills as they approach their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup (2022) matches.
“These games will also prove extremely important for our (high) performance team to see where our players stand against a team that is not only a test nation, but a team that has been preparing to compete at one of the highest levels of international cricket - being the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. We look forward to a highly competitive series on home soil.”
BCB chief executive officer Nizam Uddin Chowdhury said: “This tour will be an important part of the Bangladesh team’s lead up to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Australia. The UAE side has made impressive progress in recent times, and we are all looking forward to a competitive
Both the teams will play two T20 matches as part of their build-up for the WC. The two matches will be held on Sept.25 and 27 in Dubai. Bangladesh have met the UAE in T20 format only once previously, winning by 51 runs
and exciting series. This will provide valuable game-exposure and ensure quality preparations for both nations.
“We are delighted to support, and associate with Emirates Cricket on this upcoming T20 series. I also take this opportunity to thank Emirates Cricket for confirming the arrangements within a very short time. Bangladesh have met the UAE in cricket’s shortest format only once previously, winning at home by 51 runs in 2016.
Both teams will participate in the Twenty20 World Cup in Australia, starting on Oct.16.
The UAE will play in the preliminary round Group A alongside Asian champions Sri Lanka, Namibia, and the Netherlands.
Two teams from each of the two preliminary round groups will qualify for the second round.
Bangladesh will appear in the second round Group 2 alongside India, Pakistan, South Africa and two qualifiers.
Bangladesh also will play a tri-nation tournament in New Zealand involving the hosts and Pakistan before travelling to Australia for the T20 World Cup.
BANGLADESH AXE MAHMUDULLAH: Bangladesh on Wednesday axed former cricket captain
Mahmudullahriyadandrecalledbatsmannajmul Hossain in a shake-up to its struggling Twenty20 squad ahead of next month’s World Cup.
This month’s disappointing Asia Cup campaign highlighted the team’s 20-over woes, with Bangladesh turfed out in the group stage ater losing to Afghanistan and eventual winners Sri Lanka.
Mahmudullah’s inclusion was under a cloud ater a lacklustre 151 runs across his eight match appearances in 2022.
Indian cricketer Sridharan Sriram, appointed last month as the team’s T20 consultant, said it was time for the team to think of its future beyond the 36-year-old.
“I think this was the right time for all of us to come together and think of... who can fill in the big shoes of Mahmudullah,” he said.
Chief selector Minhajul Abedin hailed Mahmudullah’s record but added that the decision to omit the all-rounder from the squad was unanimous.
“We have respect for Mahmudullah who has played well for the national team,” he said.
“We haven’t been doing well in this format,” Minhajul added. “Our T20 consultant has given us a one-year plan, which will take us in a different direction. We have gone with this plan.”
Najmul returns ater he was let out of contention during the Asia Cup campaign while Liton Das, Nurul Hasan and Yasir Ali have recovered from injury.