Dhaka: Bangladesh cricket authorities on Friday expressed disappointment after Australia called off a tour by the Asian nation this year because it was not financially viable.
The Tigers were to play two Tests and three one-day internationals in Australia in August and September.
“Australia communicated to us that the series could not be arranged for financial reasons. It is very unfortunate as we were hoping that the series would be a good playing opportunity for our players,” Bangladesh Cricket Board chief executive Nizamuddin Chowdhury said.
“This is really disappointing. All the series we hosted were not always profitable. If we can conduct them, we would expect the other cricket boards, especially bigger ones like Cricket Australia, to do the same.
“We have proposed a shorter version as an alternative. But it looks like they are not continuing. So, this series is not going to happen.”
In the ICC’s Future Tours Programme, Bangladesh’s tour was pencilled in for the Australian winter, when football codes occupy the main cricket stadiums and dominate sports broadcasting.
Bangladesh’s last Test tour of Australia was in 2003 when they suffered innings losses in the tropical northern cities of Darwin and Cairns and it is likely such venues would have been considered if the 2018 tour had gone ahead.
Australia drew 1-1 with Bangladesh in a two-test series last year, their first tour of the country since 2011 after Cricket Australia cancelled a trip in 2015 citing security concerns.
Bangladesh have not visited Australia since 2008 when they played three one-day internationals.
