BCB president Faruque Ahmed announces Pakistan is likely to tour Bangladesh for white-ball matches in mid-2025. Following discussions, an agreement was made for a tour outside the ICC’s schedule in July. The BCB is also planning for the 2027 World Cup, leadership changes in the T20I team, and a farewell for Mushfiqur Rahim.
According to BCB president Faruque Ahmed, Pakistan is expected to tour Bangladesh for a series of white-ball matches around mid-2025. This discussion arose following conversations between Faruque and PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi during the Champions Trophy, which led to an agreement for a reciprocal tour outside the ICC’s Future Tours Programme in July and August.
Faruque noted, “The PCB told us that they would tour Bangladesh outside of the FTP.” He added, “There might be a short tour in July, which we have mostly confirmed. We will inform you when we finalise it.” Additionally, he expressed interest in Bangladesh participating in a potential tri-series in Pakistan, contingent on scheduling.
Looking ahead, following Bangladesh’s early exit from the Champions Trophy, the BCB intends to focus on preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. Faruque stated, “The board will give its policy [for 2027].” It is hoped that Najmul Abedin Faheem will lead the operations committee effectively in this regard.
With the void left by Najmul Hossain Shanto’s resignation as T20I captain in January, the BCB is in the process of selecting a new captain. Faruque mentioned, “We will try to appoint a captain from among those who have captained the team recently,” hinting at potential candidates like Litton Das.
Finally, the BCB intends to honor Mushfiqur Rahim following his retirement from ODIs. Faruque remarked, “We will plan on how to give Mushfiqur Rahim a proper farewell. He is probably one of the legends of our team,” acknowledging his significant contributions over the years.
In summary, Pakistan’s anticipated tour to Bangladesh in mid-2025 highlights the strengthening cricketing ties between the two nations. The BCB is also preparing for a thorough review of its strategy for future tournaments while addressing leadership changes within the T20I team and honoring the career of Mushfiqur Rahim. These developments indicate a proactive approach to fostering growth within Bangladesh cricket.
Original Source: www.espncricinfo.com
