Although India were Bangladesh’s opponent in their inaugural Test in 2000, they are the last of the ICC full-member nation to host Bangladesh for a Test for the first time.

Bangladesh national cricket team will leave for India on Thursday to play their one-off Test against India, starting at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad on 9 February.

Prior to that, Bangladesh will play a two-day practice match against India A on 5 to 6 February—Two-day practice match Vs India A in Secunderabad, according to schedule announced by both India and Bangladesh cricket boards.

Bangladesh skipper Mushfiqur Rahim refused to call the tour a ‘historic’ one. But, he wants his team to perform in such a way so that India would compel to invite Bangladesh to play more Test matches.  

‘Everyone is saying the match a historic one that has surprised me. I find nothing historic with this match. But, we have to play well in the match. We have to prove ourselves. We want to show such a performance that would make them inviting us to play Test again and again’, Mushfiq said at a press conference in Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla Stadium.  

Bangladesh skipper acknowledges his opponent a tough team.

‘We have to keep in mind that India is a very strong team at home. Besides, they are a balance team. We want to play good cricket during the five days. If everything goes according to plan, we are hopeful that we will be able to do so.’

After getting Test status, Bangladesh featured in two limited-over tournaments in India to play ICC Champions Trophy qualifiers in 2006 and in the ICC World T20 in 2016.

Bangladesh toured to India four times — 1990, 1998, 2006 and 2016 — but never played Test cricket or even a bilateral series in the country.

Tigers are expected to return home on 14 February.