Australia have agreed to compensate Bangladesh for this month’s postponed tour but did not give any dates of their next visit, Bangladesh Cricket Board president Nazmul Hasan said on Friday.
‘They apologised to us time and time again for postponing the series,’ said Nazmul after his return from Dubai, where he attended the board meeting of International Cricket Council.‘I spoke to both the next chairman and the incumbent chairman of Cricket Australia in Dubai. The next chairman promised me to work out a date once he returns home,’ he said.
‘The outgoing chairman Wally Edwards also regretted their decision. This was his last ICC meeting. So, there was dinner in his honour. He highly praised Bangladesh and New Zealand cricket teams in his farewell speech.’
Nazmul said Australia agreed to compensate by playing more matches than they were originally scheduled in October. ‘They said when they will tour to subcontinent countries like Sri Lanka they will try to play few matches in Bangladesh.’
Nazmul also confirmed that Zimbabwe hasve agreed tour Bangladesh next month to play some one-day and Twenty20 internationals.
The BCB had invited Zimbabwe to play two Tests in November after Australia had postponed their two-Test series citing security concerns.
However, the plan was altered because of time constraint as Zimbabwe will be busy in a home series against Afghanistan until October 29 and cannot come to Bangladesh before the first week of November.
With Bangladesh Premier League Twenty20 tournament is scheduled from November 20, it has become difficult to accommodate two Test matches during the short period of time.
The BCB, therefore, sent a revised proposal to Zimbabwe requesting the side to play the ODIs and T20Is in November and return for the Tests in November.
‘It is now confirmed that Zimbabwe will come in November and will play some ODIs and Twenty20 Internationals,’ Nazmul told reporters at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.
The BCB president added that South Africa also agreed to send their women’s cricket team soon after they had postponed a planned visit earlier this month following the murder of an Italian and a Japanese citizen.
‘We have sent a revised proposal to them. Once they [Cricket South Africa] give their approval we will announce the fresh dates for the visit of South Africa women’s team,’ said Nazmul.
BCB officials said South Africa women’s team is now expected to arrive on October 28.
-With New Age input
