The Afghanistan Cricket Board announced that Bangladesh will tour the UAE for three ODIs in November, a change from a previously planned all-format series. Initially, Bangladesh declined the tour due to extreme heat but has since agreed to this revised schedule. This series is vital as both teams prepare for the ICC Champions Trophy.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has announced that Bangladesh will visit the United Arab Emirates in November for a three-match One Day International (ODI) series. The specific locations for these matches have yet to be disclosed. This series represents a modification of an all-format tour that was originally planned earlier this year, according to the International Cricket Council’s Future Tours Programme (FTP). Initially, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) declined to partake in a tour to either the UAE or India in late June, citing the extreme summer temperatures in these areas. Consequently, the tour was postponed and later adjusted to consist exclusively of three ODIs scheduled for November 6, 9, and 11. The ACB emphasizes that this ODI series is of considerable importance for both teams as they prepare for the ICC Champions Trophy, which is slated to occur in Pakistan in February. BCB president Faruque Ahmed expressed a strong interest in organizing three ODIs against Afghanistan as part of their itinerary to the West Indies. As of 2024, Bangladesh has participated in only three ODIs. They are scheduled to play an additional three ODIs against the West Indies later in the year. The BCB has expressed concerns that this limited match exposure may not adequately prepare them for the Champions Trophy. “I spoke to the officials of Afghanistan Cricket Board in Kuala Lumpur recently. We were trying to schedule three one-day matches against Afghanistan on our way to the West Indies,” Ahmed stated. Following the ODI series against Afghanistan, Bangladesh will embark on a tour to the Caribbean that includes two Tests, three ODIs, and three T20Is, beginning in mid-November. Afghanistan, on the other hand, has already competed in eight ODIs this year and will face Zimbabwe in a comprehensive series after their matches against Bangladesh.
The cricketing relationship between Afghanistan and Bangladesh has recently evolved, necessitating adjustments to their playing schedules. The upcoming ODI series in the UAE replaces a previously anticipated full tour which was deemed impractical due to weather conditions. The significance of this series is elevated by the impending ICC Champions Trophy, motivating both teams to seek competitive preparation.
In summary, the Afghanistan Cricket Board will host Bangladesh in a vital three-match ODI series in the UAE this November. This series is critical for both teams as they look to enhance their readiness for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy. Despite initial scheduling conflicts due to climatic concerns, the teams have now settled on a focused ODI series, highlighting the increasing importance of international fixtures in the lead-up to competitive tournaments.
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