Bangladesh are hoping to add a Test match against Ireland to their schedule before travelling to England for a historic fixture at Lord's in May 2027. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is in discussions with Cricket Ireland over a possible one-off game in Chelmsford, which could provide the team with valuable preparation for English conditions.

England are already scheduled to host Bangladesh in a one-off Test beginning on May 28, 2027. The proposed Ireland fixture is not confirmed yet, but the BCB is optimistic that the two boards can reach an agreement. The plans come after Bangladesh's recent home Test series against West Indies, which ended in a 1-0 defeat for the hosts.

Bangladesh Cricket Board plans Ireland Test as preparation for England clash

The BCB is exploring the possibility of playing Ireland in Chelmsford before its team faces England at Lord's. A board official involved in the discussions told Cricbuzz that the two sides were considering the fixture, although Cricket Ireland has yet to make an official announcement.

“ECB announced their fixture against which is scheduled at Lords and we are hoping Cricket Ireland will also announce their fixture of the one-off Test series at some point taking the discussion between the two boards into consideration,” a BCB official working closely with the development told Cricbuzz on Wednesday.

“Until it is announced by them we cannot confirm it but we certainly are hopeful about the Test series against Ireland at Chelmsford,” he said.

A match in Chelmsford would give Bangladesh an opportunity to adjust to the conditions before their Lord's assignment. The venue has hosted international one-day cricket but is yet to stage a Test match.

England vs Bangladesh clash was not pre-planned by the ICC

Bangladesh's upcoming visit to England was not part of the ICC's original Future Tours Programme. The England and Wales Cricket Board offered to host the one-off Test as part of its preparation for the 2027 Ashes series at home.

The fixture will be significant for Bangladesh, who will return to Lord's after 17 years. Their previous Test appearances in England came in 2005 and 2010. The match is scheduled to begin on May 28 and will give the visitors a rare opportunity to compete at one of cricket's most famous venues.

Before travelling to England, Bangladesh are also scheduled to host the English side for a two-Test series in February 2027. Those matches will count towards the ICC World Test Championship, giving both teams important points in the cycle before the Lord's encounter.

Bangladesh recently lost a Test series to West Indies

Bangladesh will want to improve their Test performances after losing their recent two-match series against West Indies 1-0. The visitors won the opening Test in Mirpur by eight wickets after bowling Bangladesh out for 142 in their second innings. West Indies chased the target of 170 comfortably, finishing on 170/2.

The second Test in Sylhet ended in a draw, but Bangladesh had to fight hard to avoid another defeat. They posted 386 in their first innings, powered by Towhid Hridoy's outstanding 242. West Indies responded with 356 before declaring their second innings at 398/6.

Chasing 369, Bangladesh finished on 184/4 on the final day. Hridoy scored 82, while Mushfiqur Rahim contributed 49 to secure the draw. Despite that resistance, West Indies took the series and Jomel Warrican was named Player of the Series.