BAN vs AUS 2020: Australia Confirm Their Test Tour of Bangladesh

Australia has confirmed their next overseas Test tour with Bangladesh who will host two Tests in June-July next year. The BAN vs AUS 2020 Test series will be a part of the World Test Championship (WTC). Bangladesh registered a victory against Steve Smith-led Australia in 2017. However, Bangladesh also announced a three-match T20I series against Australia which was earlier scheduled to play next month but it will take place in 2021.

“We were supposed to host two Tests in February, but now the Test series will be played in June-July 2020,” Akram Khan, chief of Bangladesh cricket operations has been quoted as saying by local media. “Initially, we were expecting to host Australia for a two-match Twenty20 International series in October, but now they have agreed to play three T20 internationals and it will be played ahead of the World T20 in India, though we are yet to finalise the date.”

Australia have shown a good performance in the recently-concluded Ashes series and they have retained it too. One of the positive things was Steve Smith’s return who came back with a bang. However, Peter Roach, Cricket Australia’s head of cricket operations was pleased with the new schedule.

“We are delighted to be touring Bangladesh in June 2020,” said Roach. “The two boards felt this was a more beneficial timing for the two Test series than the original date. It should be a terrific series.”

While Australia have already opened their WTC account, Bangladesh will play their first WTC matches against India in November. They are not considered as minnows in world cricket now. They have beaten England in recent times in Tests.

One of the key players behind Bangladesh’s rise in World Cricket is Shakib Al Hasan. The all-rounder has come a long way. He took 10 wickets and smashed a vital 84 in his side’s first-ever Test victory over Australia in Dhaka two years ago. For Australia, David Warner hit centuries on the turning pitches in both the Tests and Nathan Lyon took a record 22 wickets in the series.

The upcoming BAN vs AUS 2020 series will be beneficial for both the sides to claim WTC points.