Bangladesh Cricket Board president Nazmul Hassan yesterday talked with the media on a variety of topics while attending the Twenty20 friendly match between Bangladesh Sports Journalists Association and the board directors at Mirpur's Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.
Below are excerpts of his conversation in which he announced the details of Zimbabwe's impending visit to Bangladesh next month and Cricket Australia's plans to eventually play the Tigers at their own backyard sometime within the next year or two.
Zimbabwe tour of Bangladesh
“Zimbabwe will arrive in the first week of November. The series will end on November 18 or 19. In all likelihood, the ODIs and T20Is will be held first. The fixture has been finalised. The tour will be finalised within a few days.”
CA decision to suspend Bangladesh tour
“In the recently concluded International Cricket Council meeting, CA repeatedly expressed their grief over the Bangladesh tour postponement during a dinner hosted to commemorate the Australian board's outgoing president Wally Edwards. CA promised that they would tour later. They said they would tour next year or the year after that.
“To add to that, CA said if they tour south Asia in the next couple of years, they would surely manage the time to play the two Test matches in Bangladesh.”
Security concerns in the country
“Some things were discussed in the meeting with regards to the security situation in Bangladesh. At the moment, there are no concerns in the country. That is why the [2016 ICC] Under-19 World Cup will be held in Bangladesh.
“Cricket South Africa cancelled its women's tour of Bangladesh due to security concerns. But they changed their mind now and asked for a revised schedule of the tour. We have already sent the tour itinerary [last Thursday]. The South African women will tour Bangladesh any time these days.”
Promise of more matches for Bangladesh in the next FTP (Future Tours Programme)
“I can assure you that we will get to play more Test matches and ODIs when the next FTP is drawn up.”
2016 Asia Cup hosts
“The last Asia Cup was hosted by Bangladesh. India however, has expressed its interest to host the upcoming edition. Since India will host the [2016 ICC] World T20, they also want to hold the Asia Cup. If that does not happen then Bangladesh might host it.”
