On the eve of England’s six-match tour, Bangladesh is more than just a “warm-up” as the Asian nation has transformed from haunted memories of Liberation War, to challenging some of cricket’s elite. England’s last tour to Bangladesh in 2016 ended in defeat, Eoin Morgan’s side unable to secure the 50-over series, a streak dating back to 2005 in similar conditions in India.

Since then, Bangladesh have won 12 of their past 13 ODI series at home, their impressive win against number one ranked India in December 2020 their only suffered defeat. The series against England - consisting of three ODIs followed by three T20s - marks the nation’s last overseas tour before they defend their 50-over World Cup title on the Indian subcontinent.

With Captain Jos Buttler stating that “this is exactly the