BCB Eyes Nepal Bilateral Series Within FTP Cycle by 2027

Bangladesh Cricket Board officials have confirmed that discussions are underway with the Nepal Cricket Association over a possible bilateral series within the current FTP cycle, which runs until 2027. The development reflects growing bilateral cricket engagement in the region, while Bangladesh continues to balance a packed international calendar and multiple preparation camps.

BCB and Nepal explore a bilateral window

BCB cricket operations in-charge Shahriar Nafees said Nepal’s request has been received positively, and that both boards are now trying to identify a suitable window. The challenge, he noted, is Bangladesh’s already crowded Future Tours Programme, which limits flexibility despite the interest from both sides.

According to Nafees, the discussion is not yet at a final stage, but the board is actively working toward making the series happen before the end of the current cycle. The key variable will be whether a convenient slot can be found without disturbing the broader international schedule.

Timeline and planning context

The proposed series would need to fit into a cycle that extends to 2027, giving both boards a limited but realistic planning horizon. Bangladesh has indicated that internal projections for future series are already mapped well in advance, with planning for 2026 completed during 2025 and 2027 planning set to be done in 2026.

That approach highlights the extent to which modern international cricket is scheduled years ahead. Any new bilateral assignment, even a comparatively smaller one, must be balanced against existing obligations, travel constraints, and format-specific preparation periods.

Preparation work continues for Asian Games and Afghanistan series

Alongside the Nepal discussions, Bangladesh are also managing preparations for the Asian Games and the upcoming Afghanistan series. Nafees said the Asian Games preparation phase begins on September 13, while remaining players for the Afghanistan assignment have already started a conditioning camp.

This split preparation model shows how Bangladesh is structuring workloads across formats and tournaments. Players not required for the Asian Games have been placed into conditioning work because the Afghanistan series will include Tests and ODIs, both of which demand distinct physical and technical workloads.

Format-based training strategy

The camp for the Afghanistan-bound players will continue until the squad departs for the UAE. After that, the two teams will travel to separate destinations, while the remaining players shift to the National Cricket League. Bangladesh’s planning also includes adjustment windows for format changes, ensuring that players can be moved into the relevant preparation cycle with minimal disruption.

From a workload management perspective, the current structure suggests Bangladesh are prioritizing readiness across multiple assignments rather than isolating one tournament at a time. That is especially important in a cycle where the team may have to switch between short-format skills work and longer-format physical conditioning.

Venue decision for Afghanistan series expected soon

Another key update from BCB is that the venue for the Afghanistan series is expected to be finalized in the coming week. Since it is Afghanistan’s home series, the final call rests with their board, though the likely UAE options are restricted to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or Sharjah.

The limited number of available venues in the UAE adds another planning layer. Venue confirmation affects travel logistics, training timelines, and practice scheduling, making it an important milestone before final preparation plans are fully locked in.

Why this matters for Bangladesh planning

For Bangladesh, the possibility of a Nepal series and the immediate work for the Afghanistan tour both point to a broader trend: national team planning is increasingly driven by calendar density. Even when boards are cooperative, scheduling is often determined by available windows rather than cricketing preference alone.

The Nepal proposal is therefore significant not because it is immediately confirmed, but because it signals willingness from both sides to expand bilateral cricket in a format that fits within long-term planning. If a window is found before 2027, it would add another meaningful layer to Bangladesh’s evolving international schedule.

For now, the BCB’s message is measured and practical. Discussions are positive, preparation is ongoing, and confirmation will depend on whether the board can align the request with the realities of an already crowded FTP cycle.