The Afghanistan Cricket Board has scheduled a three-match ODI series with Bangladesh in the UAE this November, following an initial refusal by Bangladesh to tour due to heat concerns. This series is pivotal for both teams as they prepare for the ICC Champions Trophy in February 2024. Bangladesh, with limited ODI experience in 2024, is looking to bolster its preparation before their upcoming West Indies tour.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has announced that it will host Bangladesh for a series of three One Day Internationals (ODIs) in the United Arab Emirates this November. Although the specific locations for the matches are still to be determined, the series represents a revised format of a comprehensive tour that was agreed upon earlier in the year, as per the International Cricket Council’s Future Tours Programme (FTP). Initially, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) had declined to tour the UAE or India for matches against Afghanistan, primarily due to concerns over the intense summer heat in these regions. This led to a postponement and subsequent modification of the tour, which will now feature only three ODIs scheduled for November 6, 9, and 11. The ACB emphasizes the importance of this ODI series for the competing teams as they prepare for the ICC Champions Trophy, scheduled to take place in Pakistan in February 2024. Faruque Ahmed, the President of the BCB, has expressed enthusiasm for organizing encounters with Afghanistan, indicating a desire to solidify their preparations en route to the West Indies. As of 2024, Bangladesh has participated in merely three ODIs, with plans to engage in three additional matches against the West Indies later in the year. The BCB perceives this limited fixture as insufficient preparation for the Champions Trophy. Ahmed stated, “I spoke to the officials of Afghanistan Cricket Board in Kuala Lumpur recently. We were trying to schedule three one-day matches against Afghanistan on our way to the West Indies.” Following the ODI series against Afghanistan, Bangladesh will embark on a tour to the West Indies, comprising two Test matches, three ODIs, and three T20 Internationals, commencing in mid-November. In contrast, Afghanistan has already completed eight ODIs this year and will subsequently face Zimbabwe in a comprehensive series after their matches with Bangladesh.
The announcement regarding the ODI series comes in the wake of changes to a previously agreed all-format tour between Afghanistan and Bangladesh. The need for rescheduling arose when Bangladesh initially rejected the idea of touring the UAE due to climatic conditions. This highlights both teams’ preparations in the lead-up to crucial international tournaments, emphasizing the strategic planning involved in international cricket.
In summary, the upcoming ODI series between Afghanistan and Bangladesh in the UAE represents a significant opportunity for both teams to enhance their competitive edge ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy. With considerations for player preparations and climatic challenges factored into the scheduling, both boards are demonstrating a commitment to optimizing their teams’ performance on the international stage.
Original Source: www.newsbytesapp.com
