Australia call off Bangladesh cricket series due to lack of ‘financial viability’

Australia were originally scheduled to play two Tests and three ODIs against Bangladesh at home from August-September this year.

Citing financial reasons, Australia have called off their Test and ODI series against Bangladesh at home later this year.

Australia were originally scheduled to play two Tests and three ODIs against Bangladesh at home from August-September this year. (AP)

According to the ICC Future Tours Programme, the Australian cricket team were scheduled to host the Bangladesh cricket team for two Tests and three ODIs between August and September in 2018.

However, it is learned that televising a cricket series during Australia’s football season is commercially non-viable for the hosts broadcasters and therefore the series has been cancelled.

READ | Kane Williamson among best batsmen in the world: NZ coach Mike Hesson

Confirming the development, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) Nizamuddin Chowdhury said that they have sent alternative proposals to Cricket Australia and are waiting for the response.

“They have requested to call off the series as it is not financially viable. We have responded to it with alternative proposals and waiting for their response but there was no further communication in this regard,” Mr Chowdhury was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz on Wednesday.

Cricket Australia, on the other hand, said that the series against Bangladesh was postponed with the mutual agreement of top cricket governing bodies of two countries.

READ | For all its method, Indian Premier League thrives on unpredictability

“The window allocated in the ICC FTP for Bangladesh to tour Australia in August this year has been postponed, by mutual agreement by both Cricket Australia and the Bangladesh Cricket Board. Both countries agreed to postponing that tour to be better aligned ahead of the ICC World T20 in 2020 in Australia,” a Cricket Australia spokesperson was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.