Bangladesh will play four Twenty20 internationals against Zimbabwe at Sylhet in the upcoming home series from January 14, said Bangladesh Cricket Board officials on Saturday.
The visitors are expected to arrive on January 11 for the series before moving to Sylhet for the series that is expected to help both the teams to prepare for the upcoming ICC World Twenty20 in India.
The matches will be played at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on January 14, 16, 18 and 20 respectively.
BCB’s media committee chairman Jalal Yunus confirmed the series against Zimbabwe snubbing all kind of doubts regarding the arrival of Zimbabwe as well as ruling out the possibility of Bangladesh hosting a tri-nation.
Earlier, BCB president Nazmul Hasan hinted they are negotiating with several boards whether a tri-nation can be played to prepare Tigers for the ICC event.
The four-match Twenty20 international series also ruled out BCB cricket operations’ proposal of hosting the series with one Test match and three Twenty20 internationals.
‘There is no format of matches other than Twenty20 internationals in the upcoming series against Zimbabwe,’ Jalal told reporters on Saturday.
‘We have ICC Under-19 World Cup, Asia Cup ahead. The bulk of the matches of these two tournaments will be held in Dhaka and Chittagong,’
‘So, we’ve decided to stage the series in Sylhet,’ he said.
Bangladesh will host the ICC Under-19 World Cup, the 19-day event, compromising 48 matches across eight venues from January 27 to February 14.
The 16-team tournament, known to be the biggest platform for the rising stars, will be staged in Sylhet, Dhaka, Chittagong and Cox’s Bazar.
A 27-member preliminary camp will start their preparation for the series at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium today under the supervision of national team’s strength & conditioning coach Mario Villavarayen at the National Cricket Academy.
All-rounder Sakib al Hasan will join the camp later after completing his vacation with his new born baby at the United States.
Coach Chandika Hathurusinghe will also return from Australia on Monday after his vacation.
-With New Age input
