Bangladesh eye Nepal series by 2027 as plans take shape

Bangladesh Cricket Board officials have opened the door to a potential bilateral series against Nepal by 2027, after receiving an invitation from the Nepal Cricket Association. The discussions are still in the planning stage, but the response from the BCB has been notably positive, hinting at a growing cricketing relationship between the two sides.

BCB responds positively to Nepal invitation

Speaking to reporters on Saturday, BCB cricket operations in-charge Shahriar Nafees confirmed that Nepal had sent a proposal some time ago and that Bangladesh viewed it favorably. With the Future Tours Programme already packed, the board is now trying to identify a suitable window within the current cycle.

“The Nepal Cricket Board sent us a proposal quite some time ago, expressing their interest in playing a bilateral series with Bangladesh. The Bangladesh Cricket Board has taken that invitation very positively,” Shahriar said. He added that both boards are in communication and are working to find a realistic slot before the 2027 cycle ends.

The key challenge, as he explained, is scheduling. Bangladesh’s international calendar is already crowded, which makes any new bilateral commitment dependent on timing, venue availability and format alignment.

Time window remains the biggest hurdle

Shahriar stressed that the board is not rushing to announce anything before the groundwork is complete. “If everything matches properly, because we know that our FTP is very packed, even then, if we can positively choose a convenient time within this cycle, we are trying to do that,” he said.

That leaves the possibility of a Nepal series alive, but not yet guaranteed. Bangladesh officials are maintaining a cautious stance, with the emphasis on feasibility rather than speculation.

“The cycle is until 2027. We have the intention to do it within this cycle, and there is also that request from the Nepal Cricket Association,” Shahriar said, while adding that the BCB will share updates once the situation becomes clearer. “When it reaches a stage where it is possible to say something… then we will be able to inform you in due time.”

Asian Games preparation begins

Alongside the Nepal talks, Bangladesh have already moved into preparation mode for their next major commitments. According to Shahriar, the team’s Asian Games preparations begin from September 13, with skill-based sessions forming the first phase of training.

At the same time, players not involved in the Asian Games squad have started a conditioning camp ahead of Bangladesh’s Afghanistan assignments. The Tigers are scheduled to play Tests and ODIs against Afghanistan, making workload management a major part of the current planning.

“From tomorrow the preparation phase for the Bangladesh team that will go to the Asian Games will begin with skills,” Shahriar said. He also noted that the remaining players for the Afghanistan series have already joined camp to stay ready for the longer formats.

Planning for 2026 and 2027 already underway

One of the more striking points from Shahriar’s briefing was the long-term planning structure inside the BCB. He revealed that practice schedules for 2026 were mapped out as early as 2025, with the board already thinking ahead to 2027 as well.

“So, planning-wise, we are on track. Everything is specified,” he said. “In fact, the planning for our practice sessions for 2026 was done back in 2025. We more or less know when what will be played.” That level of advance planning could help Bangladesh balance a crowded calendar if the Nepal series is eventually added.

Such an approach is becoming increasingly important for boards managing multiple formats, tournaments and bilateral series. Bangladesh are trying to keep that balance intact while ensuring the right players get enough preparation time before each assignment.

Afghanistan series venue to be confirmed soon

The Afghanistan series is another major piece of the Bangladesh schedule, and the venue details are expected to be confirmed in the coming week. Since Afghanistan are the home side for the series, the final call will come from their board, but the matches are expected to be staged in the UAE.

Shahriar said the likely venues include Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Sharjah, depending on what works best for the Afghanistan Cricket Board. The UAE remains a flexible but limited option, which means a formal announcement is still required before final travel and preparation plans are locked in.

“The Afghanistan Cricket Board may confirm the venue in the coming week, where it is taking place,” he said. For Bangladesh, that means the immediate focus is split between readiness for the Asian Games, conditioning for Afghanistan and keeping the Nepal series conversation alive.

For now, the message from Mirpur is clear: Bangladesh are not just looking at the next series, but building a broader roadmap. If the Nepal proposal finds the right window, it could become one of the more meaningful additions to Bangladesh’s cricket calendar before the 2027 cycle closes.

As Shahriar summed it up, the communication is active, the intent is positive, and the next step depends on whether the schedule finally opens a door.