The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is likely to announce by July 20 the national squad for Australia tour in August-September.

Ahead of the Australia tour, the national team will go to Canada next month for a four-nation 20/20 tournament involving Pakistan, West Indies and the hosts.

Talking to UNB Wednesday evening, chief selector Rafique-ul Alam informed that he along with the other two selectors would sit today (Thursday) to discuss about the composition of the squad.

He said: "We still haven't been informed officially about the Canada tour, but we hope to finalise the squad before July 20 considering the visa formalities."

Asked if there will be different teams for the two tours, he said they have to think over the matter, as the two tours will be of different formats.

Bangladesh is likely to leave here for Canada on August 11. The four-nation tournament will be held in Toronto on August 14-17 involving Pakistan, West Indies and the hosts.

Meanwhile, for participation in the 20/20 meet, the BCB is expected to sign a MoU with the organizers -- Sports International Marketing (SIM), a Pakistan based event management company -- within a day or two.

BCB cricket operations committee chairman Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu said they have tentatively agreed to the offer of SIM and are having a close look about the financial aspect of the offer. "Hopefully, we will approve the tour in the Board meeting scheduled for next week."

He said the BCB thinks this tour would be a "great exposure for our boys as they will be playing against sides like Pakistan and West Indies." This will help them during the tour in Australia, he added.

If the Tigers participate in the 20/20 meet in Canada, they have to drop the four-day warm-up match against their Australian counterparts before the three ODIs.

The three one-day matches against the world champions are scheduled for August 31, and September 3 and 6 at Darwin.