Bangladesh agree to play Kenya

Bangladesh are expected to confirm reports that they will host a three-match one-day series against Kenya in February when the Bangladesh Cricket Board meets on Friday.

"The board is planning to host the African nation for three ODIs before Bangladesh's home series against Sri Lanka, but things have not yet been finalised," a board official told Reuters. "We had a meeting to discuss preparation of the venues ahead of the Sri Lanka series and some other important issues," explained joint-secretary Rafiqul Islam Babu. "But we have to wait until the general secretary returns from Singapore after treatment."

It had been Bangladesh's intention to host a tri-series involving Kenya and Zimbabwe, but overtures to the Zimbabwe board from both the BCB and the ICC have remained unanswered. Given Zimbabwe's Cricket's current state of near anarchy, it seems unlikely that they would have been able to raise a side anyway.

A provisional itinerary, suggested by the ICC, would see Kenya arrive on February 4 with the three matches on February 10, 13 and 16.

Since playing in the World Cup semi-final in 2003, Kenya have taken part in only five ODIs, the last being 16 months ago in the ICC Champions Trophy. The Kenyan Cricket Association have been lobbying the ICC to get more fixtures, and the ICC are known to have been working hard behind the scenes to help them.