The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced on Saturday that Bangladesh’s all-format away series against Afghanistan, scheduled for July this year, has been rescheduled. The series, which was set to include two Tests, three ODIs, and three T20Is, will now be played at a later date following mutual agreement between the two boards.
This rescheduling comes as part of a series of adjustments to Bangladesh’s cricket calendar. Originally planned to play 12 Tests in 2024 along with other white-ball assignments, Bangladesh will now feature in only eight Tests. The rescheduling of their two-match Test series against Zimbabwe in May has led to a reduction in the number of Tests played.
Despite these changes, Bangladesh’s cricket schedule remains packed. After the ICC T20 World Cup, Bangladesh is set to travel to Pakistan for a two-match Test series, followed by a tour of India for a series comprising two Tests and three T20Is. In October, Bangladesh will host South Africa for a two-match Test series, and in November-December, they will travel to West Indies for two Tests, three ODIs, and three T20Is.
The news of the rescheduled tour of Afghanistan comes alongside a significant boost for Bangladesh cricket. Star all-rounder Shakib al Hasan has informed the board that he is ready to play regularly across all formats for the country. Shakib recently made a return to Test cricket after a year’s gap, featuring in the ongoing two-match Test series against Sri Lanka. He had earlier skipped the white-ball series due to an eye problem that had been affecting him since the ICC World Cup.
BCB officials have expressed their satisfaction with Shakib’s decision, highlighting the importance of his experience to the team. Shakib’s return to the squad is expected to bolster Bangladesh’s chances in future series and tournaments.
Shakib had previously indicated that he would make a decision regarding his international cricket future after the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025. However, with his commitment to playing across all formats, BCB is hopeful that he will be available without any disruptions until that time.
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