Aussies' Bangladesh tour 'all but confirmed'

Steve Smith's Australia side is expected to play two Tests in Dhaka and Chittagong from late August, according to an Australian cricket network.

It says the schedule for Australia's next Test assignment appears all but confirmed after Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland insisted the tour of Bangladesh is "all systems go", pending final security and fixture details.

Sutherland was quoted by cricket.com.au to have restated he's confident the tour that would feature two Tests in Dhaka and Chittagong would go ahead in late August.

"We're just working through all the details," Sutherland reportedly said on Monday.

"I'm very pleased to be at a stage of really fine-tuning the detail - there are still some things that we need to work through just to lock down on security.

"Once our hosts have locked in dates and the schedule, then from us it's all systems go, subject to any security concerns we might have.

"From all the research we've done and the work we've done with (the Department of) Foreign Affairs and others through government agencies, we're confident the tour will take place."

Australia were originally scheduled to travel to Bangladesh in October 2015 but postponed it at the last minute due to warnings of possible militant attacks from the foreign affairs and trade department.

Australia also withdrew their Under-19 side from last year's World Cup in Dhaka.

Source: Prothom Alo