The Emirates Cricket Board has announced that Bangladesh will play a two-match bilateral series against the UAE in May ahead of the Pakistan tour.

This will be Bangladesh’s second bilateral T20I series against UAE in the last three years as the two teams played in a two-match series in Dubai in September 2022.

The matches will be played respectively on May 17 and 19, following which Bangladesh will travel to Pakistan following the series to play a T20I series.

“We are excited to host the Bangladesh Men’s team for another bilateral T20I series with the UAE Men’s team. The Emirates Cricket Board is always keen on providing opportunities to the UAE’s national side against quality opponents,” said Emirates Cricket Board’s chief operating officer Subhan Ahmad said in a statement.

“In the last three years we have hosted ICC Full Members New Zealand, West Indies and Afghanistan while Bangladesh’s T20I series tour is their second bilateral tour of the UAE in three years,” he said.

“The two-match Bangladesh series will provide an ideal preparation opportunity for UAE ahead of this year’s ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup and we thank Bangladesh Cricket Board for their support for UAE Cricket. The Sharjah Cricket Stadium is an excellent venue for T20 cricket and we look forward to hosting two exciting games,” he added.

Meanwhile Bangladesh Cricket Board’s chief executive officer Nizamuddin Chowdhury said that they are pleased to play the series as it will give them an opportunity to prepare ahead of a jam-pack international calendar.

“We are pleased to see the Bangladesh national team’s return to the UAE. The BCB values the opportunity to engage in competitive cricket and we appreciate the initiative of the Emirates Cricket Board in arranging this T20I series,” said Nizam.

“These matches will serve as an important part of our team’s preparations ahead of a packed international calendar, including the upcoming Asia Cup. We are confident that these two games will further strengthen the cricketing ties between the BCB and ECB and provide quality entertainment to the cricket fans,” he added.