BCB are looking for best players to play Asia XI vs World XI T20Is, says Nazmul Hassan

07/26/2019

BCB president Nazmul Hassan has said they are looking for the 'best current cricketers' for the two sides when they face off for the two T20Is in March 2020. The matches are part of the nationwide celebrations to commemorate the birth centenary of Bangladesh’s founding father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Bangladesh are getting ready to celebrate the 100th birthday of their founding father, Sheikh Mujib. Mujib was born on March 17, 1920, and every year his birth anniversary is celebrated through a national holiday. As part of the extensive centenary celebrations planned, the cricket board will host two T20Is between an Asia XI and a World XI side.

As only two teams are scheduled to be involved in international cricket at that time, the board expects to get many of their desired players on board.

"There will be a matter of availability if they [the players] have international duties. I think only two teams will be busy at the time, but they won't be playing T20s, so we might get their T20 players. We are looking for the best players among the current lot, and because the games will have international status, everyone will be serious about it," Hassan told ESPNCricinfo.

The ICC usually only grants international status to such matter only if it involves a full member nation playing. However, Hassan said that all the members had unanimously allowed international status at the ICC meeting last week.

"They made a special dispensation for Bangladesh, but they said it is only a one-off that such a match will get international status," Hassan added.