Asia Cup Build-Up Begins As Bangladesh Set For UAE T20I Tour

Aakash Saini

Bangladesh team to tour UAE [Source: @IMManu_18/x]Bangladesh team to tour UAE [Source: @IMManu_18/x]

The Bangladesh cricket team is set to travel to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for a short two-match T20I series against the hosts. Both matches will be hosted by the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in Sharjah and the series marks Bangladesh’s first T20I meeting against the UAE since September 2022.

Both teams last played their share of T20I matches back in December last year. With men’s T20I Asia Cup 2025 on the horizon, the series will serve as a crucial precursor for the two sides.

Bangladesh to tour UAE for T20Is

Bangladesh cricket team will travel to UAE in May for a two-match T20I series against the hosts. Both matches will be hosted by the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on May 17 and May 19 respectively.

BCB Chief Executive Officer Nizam Uddin Chowdhury signified the importance of the series, describing it crucial to team’s preparations ahead of a packed international calendar, which also includes the upcoming 2025 Men’s T20 Asia Cup in India later in September this year.

Emirates Cricket Board Chief Operating Officer Subhan Ahmad also expressed his excitement in hosting the Bangladesh team for the upcoming bilateral series, describing it as an opportunity for the rising stars of UAE cricket to test themselves against “quality opponents”.

The development comes in the aftermath of Team India’s reported tour cancellation of Bangladesh, citing cross-border conflicts between the two nations.

Nonetheless, Bangladesh last featured in a T20I series back in December 2024 in the West Indies. Under the leadership of Litton Das, Bangladesh blanked the hosts 3-0.

The UAE team, on the other hand, won the Gulf T20I Championship in December 2024 by defeating Kuwait in a thrilling final in Dubai.