The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) released the itinerary on Tuesday for the upcoming tour of Zimbabwe where the Tigers will play one Test and five one-day internationals.
The tour will kick off with an earlier proposed three-day warm-up game as BCB failed to convince their Zimbabwean counterparts to make it a four-day affair. Zimbabwe Cricket has demanded additional money for the fourth day but BCB found no reason to pay extra money.
The lack of match practice can be an issue for the Tigers when they will make their return to Test cricket against Zimbabwe after more than a year’s break. The team was supposed to tour South Africa before going to Zimbabwe for playing the longer-version game but it was cancelled citing that it would not be feasible trip for the team while the current inclement weather condition also made it difficult to play the proposed practice matches at home.
There was a lack of proper planning from the concerned authorities. Chief selector Akram Khan was also concerned about the lack of practice matches but the former captain was optimistic about the tour.
“The overall condition is not bad but the boys didn’t get enough opportunity to play practice matches as we are going to play Test after a long gap,” said Akram while talking with reporters at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur yesterday.
It will however also be a big challenge for Zimbabwe, who will play their first Test match for more than five years as they withdrew from Tests in January 2006 after senior players boycotted the side in a dispute with the cricket authority in the country. Despite this, Akram rated Zimbabwe’s preparation highly.
“As far as I know Zimbabwe played longer-version matches against Australia A and South Africa A as part of their preparation for the tour. And they are going to play at home, so it will be a big challenge for us,” said Akram.
“But still I am hopeful about my team because we have been playing good cricket for the last few years. We have problems with our pace bowling department as our few frontline bowlers are now injured. The pacers will get an advantage from the Harare wicket, so we definitely miss the service of the top bowlers,” he added.
The selectors are expected to announce the team on Thursday.
“We will consider specialist players for the 15-member Test team,” said Akram.
-With The Daily Star input
