Australia cancels Bangladesh series, BCB expresses disappointment

In an alarming decision, Cricket Australia (CA) decided to call off Bangladesh’s tour later this year citing financial reasons, much to the disappointment of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).

In an alarming decision, Cricket Australia (CA) decided to call off Bangladesh’s tour later this year citing financial reasons, much to the disappointment of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).

CA communicated to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) that the tour was not "commercially viable".

The International Cricket Council's (ICC) Future Tours Program (FTP) had Australia down to play two Tests and three ODIs at home against Bangladesh in August and September, the latter's first bilateral tour Down Under since 2003.

However, the trip was scrapped because Australian free-to-air broadcasters are understood to be uninterested in televising the series in the middle of the football season.

CA felt it no longer made sense to play top-end matches, usually played in North Queensland and the Northern Territory, out of season because they get "swamped" by the major football codes.

Reacting strongly to the snub, BCB chief executive Nizamuddin Chowdhury said top teams like Australia are entitled to host other teams.

"It is disappointing. They looked at how financially viable the series will be for them, which is disappointing," Chowdhury said.

He also cited their own example of encouraging other teams, which are not financially viable, compared to a series against India, Pakistan or Australia.

“Many of our home series aren't necessarily beneficial. We have to host a lot of countries to maintain bilateral commitments. It is not always financially viable. If the BCB can afford them, then we would expect the bigger cricket boards to do the same." He added.