England’s planned tour of Bangladesh, which was due to take place in September and October 2021, has been rescheduled to March 2023.
Earlier this month, ECB and BCB mutually decided to postpone the white-ball series, comprising three ODIs and as many T20Is.
As a result, English players are likely to be seen in action in the second half of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021, scheduled to take place in UAE from September 19 to October 15.
See Also: Eoin Morgan confirms availability for the second phase of IPL 2021
Speaking on the same line, Tom Harrison, the Chief Executive of the England and Wales Cricket Board, on Thursday (August 12) confirmed that the postponement of the Bangladesh tour has paved the way for Three Lions' cricketers to take part in the remaining IPL 14 season.
"With respect to the IPL, we are going to have discussions with all our players and with the postponement of the Bangladesh tour, that provides an opportunity for players to present themselves for the IPL. Players are going to have to manage their schedules because we have a busy winter and that comes on the end of a busy summer. Those discussions are underway, but obviously, on a case-by-case basis, those decisions will be made with the players," said Harrison during an interaction with select media.
"We fully expect to go to Pakistan for our two-match T20I series in the run-up to the ICC T20 World Cup. That would be the first time, England would go to Pakistan since 2004. It is very important for us, strategically it is important because teams are starting to go back to Pakistan and we fully want to show our support towards a fellow member of the ICC," he added.
Earlier this week, ICC confirmed its intention to push for cricket’s inclusion in the Olympics. The apex body is set to start preparations for a bid with the primary target being its addition to the Los Angeles 2028 itinerary.
According to ICC, a working group to lead the bid has been assembled, which will be headed by England and Wales Cricket Board chair Ian Watmore.
“Personally, it is something which I have been pushing for a very long time. It is a big opportunity for cricket to continue its growth. I feel strongly that the role of governing bodies is to grow and protect their respective sports. I think it is such an exciting opportunity for cricket to stretch beyond its usual traditional values. If there is one criticism you can level at cricket is that we have not managed to take the game to many more new territories,” Harrison said.
“As I have said before, the beauty of cricket is the game itself. It is a very powerful sport and it carries such a force for good. If we are able to package the game in a way it makes sense to people, they will come running towards it. If we provide a sense of belonging to new nations, the game will do the rest. The format the ICC needs to think about over the coming months,” he further remarked.
(With ANI inputs)
