BCB mulling to reschedule Zimbabwe Tests due to 2024 T20 World Cup preparation

Bangladesh Team. (Photo Source: X(Twitter)

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is looking to postpone their upcoming two-match Test series at home against Zimbabwe in a bid to ensure early travel to the USA and get accustomed to the conditions ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024.

The USA and the West Indies will co-host the marquee event for the first time and it gets underway on June 1. A top BCB official has reportedly confirmed the development, with a final decision expected to be taken in the coming days.

“It is not a fact that we are going to abandon the two Tests against Zimbabwe and certainly we will play the two Tests (against Zimbabwe) but when we will play that Test is something we need to decide,” BCB cricket operation chairman Jalal Yunus told Cricbuzz.

The Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) starts on January 19 and will serve as a dress rehearsal ahead of the World Cup. After the completion of the BPL, the Bangla Tigers are scheduled to play home series against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe.

Sri Lanka are set to play two Tests, three ODIs, and as many T20Is. Following this multi-format series, Zimbabwe will land in Bangladesh for two Tests along with five T20Is against in May.

Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusingha is expected to arrive on January 20. The BCB and Hathurusingha are expected to meet and make plans as to what could be Bangladesh’s best approach heading into the showpiece event.

Bangladesh have played a couple of games in the USA – in 2018 against the West Indies in Florida. Several players in the current team were not part of that tour five years ago. Meanwhile, Zimbabwe are currently playing a three-match ODI series in Sri Lanka. The ODI series will be followed by three T20Is, with all six matches being held in Colombo.