Bangladesh Cricket Board officials said on Wednesday (November 11) that they are hoping to play a Test against Ireland in Chelmsford ahead of the Lords Test against England in 2027. ECB earlier announced that they will host Bangladesh in a one-off Test series at Lord's from May 28 next year.

“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.

The ICC's Future Tours Programme had no England tour planned for Bangladesh but ECB offered to play a Test against Bangladesh as part of its preparation for next year's Ashes at home. It will mark Bangladesh's return to Lords after a gap of 17 years. Bangladesh have played Tests in England twice, first in 2005 and then in 2010.

Before Bangladesh go to England, they will host the English side at home for a two-match Test series, which is part of ICC Test Championship. Chelmsford County Cricket Ground, which has hosted ODIs so far, is yet to host a Test match.