A three-member delegation from Cricket South Africa (CSA) arrived in Dhaka yesterday for a routine inspection ahead of the upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh. The series is tentatively scheduled to take place in mid-October. The delegation will visit both venues in Chattogram and Mirpur and will have discussions with the law enforcement agencies of the country.
Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) Cricket Operations in-charge Shahriar Nafees confirmed the delegation’s arrival. He stated that this visit is a standard procedure followed by all foreign teams. The CSA delegation will visit Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram first, followed by discussions with law enforcement agencies, and then proceed to Dhaka for similar meetings the next day.
The delegation is expected to depart for South Africa on Tuesday. The draft itinerary indicates that the South African team will arrive in Bangladesh on October 16. The first Test match will be held at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka on October 21, with the series concluding match scheduled for October 29 in Chattogram. The Proteas are set to leave on November 3. Both Tests are part of the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle.
Prior to finalizing their tour, CSA was reportedly planning to consult with the South African Cricketers Association (SACA). This step shows the importance of ensuring all stakeholders are on board before proceeding with international tours.
It’s worth noting that due to travel advisories issued by several participating countries regarding political unrest in Bangladesh, the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup was relocated to the UAE. Similarly, New Zealand A team’s tour to Bangladesh was postponed during the same period. These developments underscore the significance of ensuring the safety and security of all teams and players involved in international competitions.
