BCB President Faruque Ahmed revealed that Pakistan is expected to tour Bangladesh for white-ball matches in mid-2025, following an agreement reached during the Champions Trophy. Bangladesh is set to visit Pakistan in May, while BCB is planning for the 2027 World Cup and a new T20I captain. They will also honor Mushfiqur Rahim upon his ODI retirement.
Faruque Ahmed, the president of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), indicated that Pakistan is likely to undertake a tour of Bangladesh for white-ball matches in mid-2025. This follows an agreement discussed recently with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) during the Champions Trophy, allowing a reciprocal tour that may occur in July or August. He stated, “There might be a short tour in July, which we have mostly confirmed. We will inform you when we finalise it.”
In addition to the anticipated Pakistan tour, Bangladesh is scheduled to visit Pakistan in May for three One Day Internationals (ODIs) and three Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) as part of the ICC’s Future Tours Programme. Ahmed has also expressed interest in Bangladesh participating in a tri-series hosted by Pakistan, contingent on suitable timing.
Following Bangladesh’s exit from the Champions Trophy, Ahmed noted the board’s focus will shift towards preparations for the 2027 50-over World Cup, which will take place in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. He mentioned that the BCB plans to establish a policy for 2027, highlighting the expertise of Najmul Abedin Faheem in overseeing operations and future discussions on advancing cricket.
The BCB faces decisions regarding its T20I captaincy, especially following Najmul Hossain Shanto’s resignation from the role in January. Ahmed indicated that a new captain would likely be appointed from among the recent captains, with speculation favoring Litton Das for the position.
Lastly, the BCB will organize a farewell for Mushfiqur Rahim, who recently announced his ODI retirement. Ahmed remarked, “We will plan on how to give Mushfiqur Rahim a proper farewell. He is probably one of the legends of our team,” acknowledging Rahim’s significant contributions to Bangladesh cricket over the past 19 years since his debut in 2005.
In summary, the Bangladesh Cricket Board is preparing for a significant tour from Pakistan in mid-2025 while also engaging in strategic plans for future tournaments. The decision regarding the new T20I captain remains crucial, and the organization is committed to honoring Mushfiqur Rahim’s impactful cricket career. Overall, these developments signify a proactive approach to strengthening Bangladesh’s cricketing stature and preparing for upcoming challenges.
Original Source: www.espncricinfo.com
