BAN vs AUS: BCB all set to host most expensive series in country's history with BDT 20 crore

Bangladesh and Australia are all set to face each other for the five-match T20I series kick-starting from August 3. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), however, has to spend a huge amount of money in order to host the Australian cricket team. This series has gone on to already be termed as one of the most expensive in the history of the country.

It is likely that a considerable amount of money is involved in hosting any big nation. The profit margin that is gained in such a case is also more often than not huge. The cost of Bangladesh is 15 crore BDT or 150 million to make all the necessary arrangements for the stay of the Australian team who came to the nation demanding a couple of conditions.

Australia had previously agreed on booking the hotel and setting up the bio-bubble. Thus, Bangladesh and Australia’s coaches, match officials along with 50 employees are in the Hotel Intercontinental which was chosen by the BCB.

The BCB sources have opened up on the reasons why the board was spending so much money. “There were 85 people in the hotel before the 10 days when the Australian team came. Separate rooms were allotted for each. That’s why the cost has gone up. The hotel also had to be vacated at the scheduled time. The daily income of a simple five-star hotel is around 1.5 crore,” the official said as reported by BDCricTime.

COVID-19 protocols have increased the cost

Managing the hotel staff has also made the board spend a lot of money. The cost of food for so many people is also considerably high which ranges up to at least 2-3 crore BDT or 20-30 million. In totality, about 15 crore BDT or 150 million is the cost that’s been counted only for staying and eating in the hotels. On the other hand, the cost of organizing the entire series is around Tk 20 crore or 200 million.

Previously, the BCB was dealing with the DRS issue for the series, and Covid-19 protocols too had caused concerns to the broadcasting team. The team had reached the country through the Akhaura border by taking the road route as there were restrictions on air travel.