India to host Bangladesh for one-off Test match in February 2017

Mumbai, Aug 3 (IANS) India will host Bangladesh for a one-off Test match from February 8-12 next year to mark the neighbouring country's first official visit since attaining Test cricket status in 2000, it was announced on Wednesday.

"As a leading Test playing nation, it is BCCI's responsibility to give opportunity to every Test playing nation," Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Anurag Thakur said in a release.

"It is my pleasure to announce the historic one-off Test match against our neighbours -- Bangladesh early next year. This will be a great addition to our home season 2016-17."

The match will be held at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad.

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Nazmul Hassan said the short tour would be a cherished experience for players and fans of both countries.

"For the cricketers who will be representing Bangladesh and India, this will be a much anticipated game and given the competitive nature of their limited overs matches in the recent past," Hassan said.

"I believe the clash between these two cricket crazy nations will catch the imagination," he added.

"The long wait for us to play a Test match on Indian soil is finally over and this is a time for celebration."