No away Test series with Australia this year: Akram
Venue and itinerary of Afghanistan yet to be finalised
Sports Reporter
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) director and its cricket operation committee chairman Akram Khan said on Monday that they will soon fix a date and format for the next series against Afghanistan.
Akram also said that they are yet to finalise whether they will take off West Indies from India after playing the series against Afghanistan or return home after concluding the series and then fly to West Indies from Bangladesh.
They (Afghanistan) offered us to play in their home venue. But the date of the series is fixed yet. Even the format of the games is also settled yet, said Akram Khan yesterday.
Our discussion is going on which format of game we will play against them. Along with that, well talk about the time period of the series, Akram told media at the Media Lounge of the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium following a meeting.
Were yet to give any proposal but we will soon give proposal what we want to play against them. Theyve invited us. They prefer to play on one-day cricket. But were yet to take any decision. Well soon give our proposal, he said.
When asked about the possibility of venue change, the cricket operation committee chairman said that he did not hear anything about venue change but they are yet to fix the date and format of the series which will soon be finalized.
I dont know about the matter of venue change. I think, there is no problem with venue but which format of game we play against them that is yet to fix which is very important for us, he responded.
The former captain said that they have no more possibility of the away Test series against Australia this year ahead of their tough and hectic international and national engagements.
Bangladesh will play five big tournaments in the space of the six months, two of them full home and away series against the West Indies. Then they will play Afghanistan series, Asia Cup and Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).
This time they (Australia) will not play what they earlier informed us. They will give us a schedule in the next year. So, there is no possibility of holding the series in 2018, the ex-captain said.
This year Bangladesh team will pass a hectic schedule as they have series against Afghanistan before the West Indies series. They will then play Asia Cup in Dubai. Therefore, weve BPL and last one West Indies will come here in Bangladesh for a full series, he continued.
So far, theyve confirmed the venue only for two T20 internationals of the series against West Indies, the matches which will be held in Florida in the USA, he told in response to a query.
Akram didnt agree to talk about the appointment of the Bangladesh team head coach, the post which remained vacant following Chandika Hathurusinghas sudden resignation since November last year.
