BCB positive on Nepal series despite packed schedule
Bangladesh could soon play their first ever bilateral series against Nepal, with the Bangladesh Cricket Board responding positively to a proposal despite an already congested calendar of fixtures over the coming months.
The two sides have met only twice previously, both at T20 World Cups, with Bangladesh winning both encounters, an eight wicket victory in Chattogram in 2014 and a 21 run win at the 2022 tournament.
Nepal's ambassador to Bangladesh, Ghanshyam Bhandari, first raised the prospect of a bilateral series during a meeting with Youth and Sports Minister Aminul Haque, expressing hope that cricket could offer a boost following recent devastating floods in Nepal.
BCB cricket operations manager Shahriar Nafees confirmed talks were already under way with the Cricket Association of Nepal, though he stressed finding a suitable window within Bangladesh's schedule remained the primary challenge facing both boards.
"Nepal sent us a proposal quite some time ago, expressing their interest in playing a bilateral series against Bangladesh. The Bangladesh Cricket Board took that request very positively," Nafees told reporters in Mirpur on Saturday.
He acknowledged the difficulty of slotting in additional fixtures given how tightly packed Bangladesh's upcoming commitments already appear, though he remained optimistic a solution could still be found before the current cycle concludes.
"Our FTP is very packed. Even so, we are trying to find a convenient time within this cycle. If everything goes well, hopefully this series can take place," he said.
Bangladesh's immediate future includes a quarter final appearance at the Asian Games on 28 September, followed swiftly by a Test against Afghanistan in the United Arab Emirates and a subsequent tri series involving Afghanistan and Zimbabwe.
The West Indies are then scheduled to visit Bangladesh for a two Test series running from 28 October to 9 November, before the national team heads to South Africa for two further Tests alongside three ODIs and three T20Is.
Domestic cricket will occupy much of December once that international run concludes, while discussions continue over a postponed series against India in January, with England also due to tour Bangladesh in February.
Nafees confirmed the Nepal series remained a genuine priority for the board despite the crowded calendar, insisting talks would continue until a workable date could eventually be agreed between both cricket boards.
"We want to do it within this cycle, and the Cricket Association of Nepal has also made that request. We are working positively. When we reach a decision, we will be able to announce the dates," he said.
Asked whether Nepal's proposal was linked to raising funds following the recent floods, Nafees said he could not confirm any such connection, suggesting any discussions on that front had likely taken place at a governmental rather than cricketing level.
"I personally don't actually know about this matter. The communication we have had did not include the issue of the floods. We certainly have sympathy for the people living in Nepal," he said, addressing the sensitive timing of the proposal.
He added that while cricketing discussions between the two boards remained separate from any humanitarian considerations, Bangladesh remained genuinely sympathetic to Nepal's recent hardship following the disaster in late August.
Bangladesh's preparations for the Asian Games began in Mirpur on Sunday, with the wider squad now shifting focus towards a demanding international calendar that stretches well into the new year.