Bangladesh hopeful of more games with India

There are chances that India might host Bangladesh more in future with a greater number of bilateral series between the two set to be discussed when the Future Tours Programme (FTP) for 20192023 is confirmed here during the ongoing five-day International Cricket Council (ICC) meet.

“We are expecting some more matches in the next ICC FTP cycle. There will be more number of IndiaBangladesh matches in both India and Bangladesh. We are hopeful,” Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) executive Nizamuddin Chowdhury said yesterday.

The FTP for 2019-2023 may have already been agreed upon by the ICC full members, but the document that binds the Testplaying nations to adhere to the programme will be submitted to the ICC at its quarterly board meeting on April 25-26.

India have hosted Bangladesh for a bilateral series only once so far, in Hyderabad in 2017 when Virat Kohli and his team pummelled their neighbours by 208 runs.

In total, there have been six India-Bangladesh Test series, including the 2017 five-day affair.

With Bangladesh’s rising status as a cricketing force, Chowdhury feels the likes of Shakib Al Hassan and Mustafiqur Rahim should tour India more and in general engage in more bilateral ties with Kohli and his boys.

Bangladesh cricketers smashed dressing room glass into smithereens during their narrow victory over Sri Lanka in a Nidahas Trophy Twenty20 tri-series match, which helped them reach the final.

The match had descended into chaos as tempers flared due to some umpiring decisions. However, better sense prevailed as the match continued, with Bangladesh going on to register a thrilling win.

Asked about the incident, Chowdhury refused to comment, although adding the BCB have taken note of the matter.