The current round of ICC FTP fixtures will end in 2023. The 2023 ODI World Cup in India in October-November would be the final major tournament in this cycle. The new four-year cycle (2024–2027) will begin the following year. The BCB Operations Committee Chairman Jalal Yunus told the media on Sunday (April 17) that a brief discussion on the next cycle's FTP fixture was undertaken during the most recent ICC meeting. Almost 200 international matches were proposed for the Bangladesh national men's cricket team for the next cycle during the discussion.
Proposed FTP matches for the Bangladesh National Men’s Cricket Team
Bangladesh men's team is scheduled to play 160 matches in the current cycle, including 44 Tests, 59 One-Day Internationals, and 57 Twenty-20 Internationals. However, the fixtures were later revised due to the outbreak of the coronavirus. As per Jalal Yunus, Bangladesh will get nearly the same number of Test matches in the next cycle, but the number of ODI and T20I matches would significantly increase.
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Bangladesh will play 40+ Tests, 70+ ODIs, and 76+ T20Is in the 2024–2027 cycle, as per initial discussions. BCB is also interested in competing in a number of tri-nation series. Besides, Bangladesh will compete in the T20I World Cups in 2024 and 2026, as well as the ICC Men's Champions Trophy in 2025 and the ICC One-Day International World Cup in 2027. The FTP fixtures will not include the matches for these events. Therefore, Bangladesh will play more limited-overs matches during this cycle.
Possibility of away series in Australia and England
Bangladesh Cricket Board is eager to play bilateral series against top cricket nations outside of Bangladesh. Playing a series in Australia and England is one of their top ambitions. Bangladesh last played a bilateral series in Australia in 2008. They didn't get the chance to play at major Australian cricket venues, as their matches were played at unknown grounds. On the other hand, Bangladesh last visited England in 2010.
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Bangladesh will most likely travel to Australia in 2027 for a bilateral series, according to Jalal Yunus. Prior to that, Australia will play a series in Bangladesh in 2026. On the other hand, BCB has yet to reach an agreement for a possible tour in England. The two bodies are still negotiating, but the Bangladesh Cricket Board is attempting to convince the ECB to play a series in England. Apart from that, Bangladesh will likely travel to Pakistan, South Africa, and the West Indies to play a series.
Bottom Line
Bangladesh will get a significant number of Test and Twenty20 matches in the forthcoming cycle, according to BCB Operations Committee Chairman Jalal Yunus. Bangladesh's favourite format is the One-Day International, but they won't be able to play enough ODIs in the upcoming cycle as per expectations. Apart from that, the Bangladesh men's national team will likely get a chance to play in Australia and England. Hopefully, the next ICC FTP fixtures would help Bangladesh cricket in reaching new heights.
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