England’s tour of Bangladesh postponed to March 2023
England Men’s team was set to tour Bangladesh in September and October 2021, but the series has been pushed to 2023, as confirmed by England Cricket Board (ECB) on Tuesday (3rd August). There is not an official confirmation as to why the series was postponed, but now the limited-overs series comprising of three ODIs and three T20Is will take place in March 2023.
One of the prime reasons for the series not going ahead is the impending threat of COVID-19. The Bangladesh government has announced a nationwide lockdown to curb the rising cases of COVID-19, which could be one of the reasons why the series might has been postponed. Both the boards have mutually agreed on rescheduling the series.
Now, all the six games are planning to be held in Dhaka and Chattogram stadium in the first two weeks of March, as the BBC reported. Bangladesh is currently hosting Australia for a five-match T20I series starting on August 3. On the other hand, England will play a five-match Test series against India starting on August 4.
England Players participation in the IPL seems likely
With the series pushed to 2023, England players have relatively a free window during September and October 2021. With the second half of the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) taking place from September 19, the England players might be able to participate in the league which is set to be held in the UAE.
Speculations were rife that the ECB might not allow its players to resume in the IPL due to the packed cricketing calendar, but the series of Bangladesh postponed, it gives England players some breathing space.
Players such as Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Jos Buttler, Tom Curran, Eoin Morgan, and Ben Stokes are several of the top players who are part of the IPL. With an upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2021 set to be held in Oman and the UAE, the England players might use IPL as a good preparation ahead of the global event. Although there is not an official confirmation yet, the path to return to IPL at least has been cleared due to series postponement.
