BCB to request India to play three ODIs

Bangladesh will request India to play three one-day internationals instead of one Test later this year, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Nazmul Hassan said on Monday. According to the existing FTP cycle, India, besides their three-ODI series last June, will be touring in 2015 and 2020 whereas Bangladesh will participate in their first Test match on Indian soil in 2016.

As per a report in ESPNCricinfo, Hassan gave no clarification on the revised plan but the fact that Bangladesh are already playing seven Test matches this year, might have been a reason for the proposal. Also, the fact that Bangladesh are currently positioned ninth in the ICC ODI team rankings and have a deadline till September 30 to make it in the top eight if they are to qualify for the 2017 Champions Trophy, can be another reason behind their desire to play more ODIs.

"This year we are playing full series against Pakistan, South Africa and Australia," Nazmul told reporters. "India are only supposed to play one Test here. We are thinking what is the point of playing just a single Test? It's better to play three ODIs against them. We are going to put forward this proposal. But it is almost finalised that we will play a Test against India in 2016, in Eden Gardens."

Bangladesh had a woeful campaign in 2014, winning just 5 out of 18 ODIs and had an equally poor record in Tests. Over the years, their players had often complained of lack of Test matches against top opponents. Nazmul himself had emphasised on Bangladesh playing more matches against higher-ranked sides last year in order improve.

"Our main objective was to play more Test matches, and tour the big nations. We have confirmed these so far, because every country has a very tight schedule," he had said.
© Cricbuzz (with inputs from agencies)