“There will be four to five matches, though that hasn’t been decided”

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Nazmul Hassan has confirmed that Zimbabwe will tour the country for a limited overs series rather than a two-Test series in November.

Zimbabwe were initially scheduled to tour Bangladesh in January 2016 for two Tests, three ODIs and three Twenty20 Internationals. However, with Australia having cancelled their two-Test tour of Bangladesh due to security concerns, the BCB contacted Zimbabwe Cricket and asked them if it were possible to move the series forward.

But, Hassan revealed that the number of ODIs and Twenty20 Internationals played during the series has yet to be decided.

“It has been decided [on the sidelines of the ICC meeting] that Zimbabwe will fill up the slot that opened up due to Australia’s postponement,” Hassan told reporters. “We have to finish the series by November 18 or 19. They have to come by the first week of November. Zimbabwe have confirmed they are coming. It will be ODIs and T20s. There will be four to five matches, though that hasn’t been decided.”

Hassan also revealed that Australia are committed to playing their two-Test series in the near future, even if it is held in Sri Lanka or India. As of now, it is likely that the series will be played in 2016 or 2017.

“Australia regretted the postponement repeatedly, at one point in front of everyone,” Hassan said. “They postponed because the Italian national was killed. When everyone started saying IS was involved, they became worried.

“But they said they will make it up to us. The problem is, they have a very busy schedule. They can’t come to play a Test before the end of 2016 or in 2017. They confirmed this in front of everyone. In addition, they said when they will tour India or Sri Lanka, they will play a couple of matches in Bangladesh to show that they want to come.”