The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is in talks with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to host a one-off Test in England. This discussion began after Pakistan pulled out of the preparatory match for The Ashes 2027. For the last two summers when Australia toured, in 2019 and 2023, England had invited Ireland for one-off Tests.
In 2019, Ireland gave England a scare. However, in 2023, England bashed them into the ground, losing just 4 wickets in the entire Test. Therefore, England had decided to look elsewhere. Pakistan will tour in August and September for a 3-match Test series and don’t wish to return in 2027.
ENG vs BAN Test after 17 years
For some time now, the ECB has been criticised for not inviting Bangladesh over. The one-off Test is the perfect chance to amend that. Bangladesh haven’t played a Test in England since 2010. The two teams also haven’t faced off in Test cricket since 2016. The drought was ending anyway, as England will tour Bangladesh in February 2027 for a 2-match Test series. That series will be England’s last of the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.
According to The Telegraph, The ECB will announce the schedule for the 2027 summer next month, as England are to play 6 Test matches at home, and The Oval will host the WTC Final 2027. Trent Bridge Cricket Ground in Nottingham has already been confirmed as the starting venue for The Ashes 2027, but the dates aren’t out. In 2023, The Ashes was played from 16 June to 31 July.
Since The Lord’s won’t host the WTC Final 2027 due to the ICC’s unhappiness with the pitch in the last few years, the one-off England vs Bangladesh Test might be hosted at the venue. Bangladesh has already played at Lord’s before, with the 2005 and 2010 series both kicking off in London.
The off-Test could be a cracking one and perfect Ashes preparation. Bangladesh has a great crop of fast bowlers like Nahid Rana, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Ebadot Hossain and Hasan Mahmud, who made his Kent debut last week. One can’t forget that Bangladesh is on the rise and whitewashed Pakistan at home recently with their fast bowlers terrorising the batters with pace and bounce.
England vs Bangladesh Test series: Results
| Series | Season | Winner | Margin of Victory |
| England in Bangladesh | 2003/04 | England | 2-0 (2) |
| Bangladesh in England | 2005 | England | 2-0 (2) |
| England in Bangladesh | 2009/10 | England | 2-0 (2) |
| Bangladesh in England | 2010 | England | 2-0 (2) |
| England in Bangladesh | 2016/17 | Drawn | 1-1 (2) |
