India will host Bangladesh in a historic one-off Test match in February next year. The Test is to be played at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad from February 8-12. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the same on Wednesday (August 3). This will be the first time Bangladesh will visit India to play in the longest format of the sport, 17 years since gaining their Test status in 2000.
BCCI’s views
“As a leading Test playing nation it is BCCI?s responsibility to give opportunities to every Test playing nation,” BCCI’s President Anurag Thakur said. “It is my pleasure to announce the historic one-off Test match against our neighbours ? Bangladesh early next year. This will be a great addition to our home season 2016-17”. The nations have met in eight Tests on Bangladesh soil since 2000. India won on six occasions, while the remaining two failed to produce any result. This includes ?their most recent encounter in Fatullah last June which got affected by weather.
BCB’s views
Bangladesh Cricket Board President Nazmul Hassan said the short tour would be a cherished experience for players. “For the cricketers who will be representing Bangladesh and India, this will be a much anticipated game. Given the competitive nature of their limited overs matches in the recent past, I believe the clash between these two cricket crazy nations will catch the imagination. “The long wait for us to play a Test match on Indian soil is finally over and this is a time for celebration.”
The Historic Test is part of a busy home series for India. It will also see them host New Zealand, England and Australia. These cricketing giants will play a total of 13 matches in India between September and March next year.
