Bangladesh to play in tri-nation ODI series against Afghanistan and Zimbabwe in October
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has confirmed a tri-nation ODI series involving Bangladesh and Zimbabwe, to be played in the United Arab Emirates following a previously scheduled Test between Afghanistan and Bangladesh next month.
The one off Test gets under way on October 9, with Afghanistan hosting Bangladesh at their regular UAE base, before attention turns to the white ball series a week later.
The tri-nation series itself begins on October 17, with Bangladesh facing Zimbabwe in the tournament opener.
Afghanistan and Zimbabwe meet on October 19, followed by Bangladesh's second group match against the hosts on October 21.
Each side will play the other twice across the round robin format, with the final scheduled for October 23 to determine the overall winner.
The ACB has yet to confirm specific venues for either leg of the tour, though the Test is understood to be likely for Dubai, with the tri-nation series expected to be staged in Sharjah.
Should Bangladesh reach the final, they stand to play at least four matches across the tour, including the Test itself.
Once the tri-nation series concludes, Afghanistan will turn their attention to a three match T20I series against Zimbabwe, beginning on October 27, before the two sides meet again in a two match Test series starting on November 5.
Bangladesh have played 39 international fixtures in the UAE to date, though the upcoming Test will mark their first appearance in the format on Emirati soil.
The tour arrives during an especially congested period for Bangladesh, who begin their Asian Games campaign on September 29 before heading almost immediately to the UAE.
Even before the tri-nation series wraps up, the West Indies are due to arrive in Bangladesh on October 18, with the tourists' two match home Test series against them running from October 28 to November 9, assuming Bangladesh return home by October 24 following any involvement in the tri-nation final.
From there, Bangladesh will travel to South Africa, where the first Test begins in Johannesburg on November 15, as part of a broader tour comprising two Tests, three ODIs and three T20Is that runs through to December 13.
A brief gap of roughly one and a half to two months without international cricket will follow, allowing domestic competitions to take centre stage.
There remains some discussion around potentially rescheduling Bangladesh's postponed series against India for January, though that possibility appears slim for now.
England, meanwhile, are already confirmed to visit Bangladesh in February for a two match Test series, extending an already packed calendar deep into the new year.
Bangladesh-Afghanistan-Zimbabwe tri-series schedule
17 October — Bangladesh v Zimbabwe
19 October — Afghanistan v Zimbabwe
21 October — Bangladesh v Afghanistan
23 October — Final