Tigers off to Darwin

Mohammad Ashraful's men are scheduled to leave for the Australian city of Darwin in the early hours of Thursday to play a three-match ODI series.

On their second tour to the country of cricket's world champions, Bangladesh will play five practice matches against Australian Institute of Sports and Northern Territory Chief Minister's XI before embarking on the one-day series.

The first four practice matches are against AIS on August 18, 20, 23 and 25 at the Gardens Oval in Darwin while the fifth game will be against the territory's Chief Minister's XI on August 27, at the same ground.

The three-match series between Bangladesh and Australia will be held on August 30, September 3 and 6 at the TIO Stadium in Darwin.

Meanwhile, opener Nazimuddin took off with the Tigers after Shahriar Nafees pulled out of the tour in the last minute, due to his educational commitments.