Bangladesh to play two Twenty20 matches against UAE

Dubai: Bangladesh, one of Asia’s cricketing heavyweights, will take on hosts UAE in a two-match T20I series later this month — a treat for thousands of Tigers fans living in the UAE.

UAE have enjoyed success against Test-playing nations such as New Zealand, Afghanistan and the West Indies in recent years and will be hoping to upset Bangladesh, who will be making their second visit since 2022.

Eyeing another upset

“Bangladesh is a Test-playing nation and they have the best players. It’s going to be a big challenge and gives us big-match exposure,” UAE coach Lalchand Rajput told Gulf News from the Netherlands, where the team is preparing for the Cricket World Cup League 2 matches against Netherlands and Scotland.

“While we are here, we have told the guys who have been left out in the camp to continue their preparations. The process is on, as we have just one day between this series and the Bangladesh matches. Beating Bangladesh would be a huge achievement and we are hoping to cause an upset.”

This will be the Asian Full Member side’s second bilateral T20I series against UAE in the last three years. The two teams last met in a two-match series in Dubai in September 2022. The matches will be held on May 17 and 19, with both games starting at 7pm UAE time.

Providing opportunities to UAE team

Emirates Cricket Board Chief Operating Officer Subhan Ahmad said: “We are excited to host the Bangladesh Men’s team for another bilateral T20I series with the UAE Men’s team. The Emirates Cricket Board is always keen on providing opportunities to the UAE national side against quality opponents. The two-match Bangladesh series will provide an ideal opportunity for UAE to prepare for this year’s ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup.”

Bangladesh, meanwhile, recently wrapped up a two-match Test series against Zimbabwe, which ended 1-1. After losing the opener, the Tigers bounced back to crush Zimbabwe by an innings and 106 runs — their second-ever innings win over the African side at the spin-friendly venue.

The UAE series will mark the start of a packed T20I calendar for Bangladesh in 2025. Following a tour of Pakistan, they will travel to Sri Lanka for two Tests, three ODIs, and two T20Is. In August, they will host India for three ODIs and three T20Is — all in the build-up to the Asia Cup.

Strengthening cricketing ties

Bangladesh Cricket Board CEO Nizam Uddin Chowdhury said: “We are pleased to see the Bangladesh national team’s return to the UAE. The BCB values the opportunity to engage in competitive cricket and we appreciate the initiative of the Emirates Cricket Board in arranging this T20I series.

“These matches will serve as an important part of our team’s preparations ahead of a packed international calendar, including the upcoming Asia Cup. We are confident that these two games will further strengthen the cricketing ties between the BCB and ECB and provide quality entertainment to the cricket fans.”