Australia is likely to tour Bangladesh in 2017 as per the reports emerging from the Cricket Australia headquarters. The scheduled Australian tour to Bangladesh was postponed indefinitely in October 2015 after security agencies assessed a threat to Australian nationals in Bangladesh. Going by the reports of the intelligence agencies, Australia also didn’t participate in the U19 World Cup which followed in early 2016, in Bangladesh.
Back in October 2015, just 48 hours before Australia’s departure to Bangladesh, the tour was called off by Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland. “We had hoped that the security concerns would fade, but unfortunately, the advice we have received from the Australian Government and our own security experts has clearly indicated that there are now highly credible and unacceptable risks to our people should they make the trip,” Sutherland said at the time. “Further to this, an independent security assessment confirmed there is a risk of terrorism in Bangladesh targeting foreigners including Australian nationals,” Sutherland’s report said.
In his recent statement to cricket.com.au, Sutherland revealed that Australia are likely to tour Bangladesh after the end of Champions Trophy 2017. As per the ICC Future Tour Program (FTP), Australia does not play any cricket for a month post the completion of the Champions Trophy in England. In that particular month, Australia could tour Bangladesh to keep their commitment intact.
“We’ve had discussions off-line with the Bangladesh Cricket Board,” Sutherland said. “They know and understand that we’re absolutely committed to playing that postponed tour, obviously subject to security matters that we need to go through in preparation for that tour.”But we’re very much looking forward to getting back to Bangladesh and playing cricket over there.”
If the tour goes ahead as per plans, then it is likely to consist of 3 ODI’s and 2 tests. Australia and Bangladesh have not played a test against each other since 2006 when Ricky Ponting’s Australia toured Bangladesh.