Dhaka, Bangladesh – The cricketing landscape between Pakistan and Bangladesh is set to see increased activity, with both nations agreeing to reciprocal white-ball tours. Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Nazmul Hassan Papon, also known as Faruque Ahmed, revealed that Pakistan is scheduled to tour Bangladesh for a series of limited-overs matches in mid-2025, complementing Bangladesh's already planned tour of Pakistan in May 2025.

According to the ICC's Future Tours Programme (FTP), Bangladesh is slated to visit Pakistan in May for three One Day Internationals (ODIs) and three Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). Building on this, recent discussions between BCB president Nazmul Hassan Papon and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi, held on the sidelines of the Champions Trophy, have resulted in an agreement for a reciprocal white-ball series in Bangladesh.

"The PCB has agreed to tour Bangladesh outside of the FTP," stated Nazmul Hassan Papon on Saturday. "We are looking at a short tour in July or August 2025, which is largely confirmed. We will finalize the details and announce them soon."

In addition to the bilateral series, discussions have also broached the possibility of Bangladesh participating in a future tri-series hosted by Pakistan. "I have also spoken about Bangladesh being part of a [Pakistan] tri-series in the future, wherever it is, if it is held at a suitable time for us," Papon added.

The BCB is now shifting its focus towards building a strong foundation for the 2027 Cricket World Cup, set to be hosted in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. With Bangladesh's recent exit from the Champions Trophy group stage, the board is keen to strategize for future success. "The board will establish its policy for the 2027 World Cup," Papon explained. "Experienced individuals like Najmul Abedin Faheem, the head of our men's cricket operations committee, will play a crucial role in shaping our strategy. We will soon discuss how to move our cricket forward."

The BCB also faces the task of appointing a new T20I captain, following Najmul Hossain Shanto's resignation in January. Nazmul Hassan Papon indicated that the new captain will be chosen from among recent captains, with Litton Das being a strong contender. "We will try to appoint a captain from among those who have recently led the team. A decision will be made shortly, and the announcement will follow," he said.

Furthermore, the BCB is planning a fitting farewell for Mushfiqur Rahim, who recently announced his retirement from ODI cricket. "We will plan a proper farewell for Mushfiqur Rahim. He is a legend of our team," Papon emphasized. "He is one of the architects of Bangladesh cricket over the last 19 years. From his start in 2005 to his crucial role in the 2007 World Cup, he has set an ideal path for the younger generation."

These developments highlight the strengthening ties between Pakistan and Bangladesh cricket, with both boards committed to enhancing their cricketing relationships and building competitive teams for future international events.

[Copyright (c) Global Economic Times. All Rights Reserved.]