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BCB plans tri-series to boost ICC ranking

Zimbabwe, Kenya invited to play

SPORTS REPORTER
In a bid to improve its one-day ranking before next year's ICC Champions Trophy tournament in India, Bangladesh wants to host a triangular series involving Zimbabwe and Kenya. The three-nation meet is expected to be held sometime from mid-November to January.
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Ali Asghar and his cricket operations committee chairman Mahbubul Anam, who accompanied the Tigers on their return from England, made the disclosure after attending an ICC executive committee meeting in London.
The new format for the Champions Trophy, where ICC ranking will be a major factor for teams hoping to get entry into the second
most important meet in the world, forced the BCB to arrange the one-day series.
Currently, Bangladesh lie bottom of the 11-team table after ICC associate members Kenya but the team's recent eight one-day victories will definitely push them ahead of the Kenyans when the rankings are updated next August.
"It is almost confirmed that our standing will improve in August this year as Kenya have not played any international cricket upto that period. But our main target is to obtain a better position by next April because the ranking of this month will be considered for the Champions Trophy that's why we are going to stage the triangular series," said Asghar.
As per new format six top ranked sides will gain direct entry while the other four teams of the table will play in a qualifying round where the two
best teams will join the party. Board officials informed that they had successful meetings with their Zimbabwean and Kenyan counterparts during the ICC meeting.
When asked whether Mirpur Stadium would be used during the series, Asghar was unduly worried by the fact that the new home of Bangladesh cricket would not be fully operational by this year.
"We have other ICC-recognised venues. So, even if the Mirpur Stadium is not ready in time we will arrange matches elsewhere," said Asghar.
The BCB president was also pleased with the newly formed Afro-Asian Cricket Council. Under the banner a three-match one-day series will take place in South Africa in this year between the Asia XI and Africa XI where some Bangladeshi players will feature beside those from India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
"The new platform will help the cricket nations of this region to exchange development programmes and arrange tours for the age-group teams," he added.
Asghar also was not ready to face questions regarding Bangladesh's Test status debate.
"The ICC wished us well after our historic victory against Australia and they were very excited. There is no room to question our Test status because we are hopeful to see Bangladesh build a formidable side within 2007," he said.