India star Virat Kohli is set to play in one of the games when an Asia XI face a World XI next month.
Two T20I fixtures have been arranged by Bangladesh Cricket Board to celebrate the centenary of the birth of the nation’s founding father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The matches are due to be held at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka on March 21 and 22.
BCB President Nazmul Hasan has said that Kohli could feature in one of the games. Other India cricketers that could line up include KL Rahul, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Shikhar Dhawan and Richabh Pant.
Hasan confirmed: “We have already received four names from India. We haven't signed contracts but Rishabh Pant, Kuldeep Yadav, Shikhar Dhawan and Mohammad Shami are supposed to come. They have said KL Rahul and Virat Kohli will play one game each, but that hasn't been finalised.”
Line-ups coming together for celebration games
The likes of Chris Gayle, Faf du Plessis, Alex Hales, Jonny Bairstow, Kieron Pollard and Adil Rashid are among the names in the World XI team.
Bangladesh representatives in the Asia side are Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah and Mustafizur Rahman.
Hasan added: “We have spoken with Mujeeb ur Rahman and Rashid Khan last night from Afghanistan and soon we will have an agreement with them. We have finalised with Sandeep Lamichhane along with Lasith Malinga and Thisara Perera from Sri Lanka as well.
“As we have two matches we will try to mix and match Bangladesh players in those two games. Certainly, there will be Tamim and Mushfiqur, and we will also have Mahmudullah and Mustafizur. Also, we might have Liton Das.”
Players from Pakistan are unlikely to be involved due to the final of the PSL taking place on the same day as the second T20I
“As Pakistan is having the PSL, they are uncertain,” added Hasan.
The two games underline what an exciting year it is for T20 cricket in 2020. The T20 World Cup will be held in Australia in October when team-mates from these games will soon go head-to-head for glory.
