BCB general secretary Mahbu-bul Anam, who represented Bangladesh in the much-talked about two-day meeting in the ICC's new headquarters, was extremely delighted to announce that Bangladesh were not only given a go ahead to play home and away series like the other established cricketing nations in the new FTP (Future Tour Programme) for the next six years, but were also awarded the right to host significant international events after their eye-catching success at the junior level.

A delighted Mahbub informed that Bangladesh are hoping to host the 2012 ICC Champions Trophy, along with either the 2010 or 2014 ICC Under-19 World Cup as well as six 2011 World Cup matches.

"Four sub-continent board officials will meet on April 21 to decide on the compiling bidding for 2011. We have expressed our desire to host the 2012 Champions Trophy and either the 2010 or 2014 Under-19 World Cup's. We are hopeful about getting the nod when ICC's special board meeting will decide on the next eight years events on April 30," Mahbub told reporters at a local hotel yesterday.

"There had been lot of talk about reducing the number of away series of Bangladesh and Zimbabwe over the last two years but I can now assure you that we will play against all the teams on a home and away basis like our previous arrangement. We made a very good impression in the meeting, especially our junior cricket has impressed the others a great deal," said the bearded BCB general secretary.

He said that the new FTP also gave them an opportunity to make huge financial gains in the coming years.

"We are expecting much higher TV deals this time around as we have now matured enough to bargain about the matter and have a very good home slot in the six-year FTP programme to make it possible. We are expecting 22 home Tests in the next six years which will be a much higher number than the previous one," he explained.

What made Mahbub most happy was the arrangement of three triangular series in the programme.

"The FTP has assigned us to hold at least three triangular series involving India (twice) and they have also agreed to it which is a big boost for us. We can even arrange another additional triangular series in that period," he said.

The existing TV deal with the ESPNStarSports will expire after the Australian tour in April but Mahbub promised that they would make a very transparent TV deal to avoid any kind of controversy.

"We will call an open international tender for a new deal and I can assure you that we will be transparent about the issue," he added.

One thing that is still undecided is when Bangladesh will play their first away series in India. The Tigers failed to complete their home and away basis tour circle in the last FTP as India showed considerable reluctance twice in hosting the newest Test playing nation.

"India acknowledged their failure of hosting Bangladesh but the two board officials will meet again in the next two months to settle the issue," said Mahbub.

He also confirmed that Bangladesh will take a long break from Test cricket after hosting Australia in April. They are expected to play their next home series against India in May next year, after the World Cup.

"We are expected to play 18 to 20 ODI matches in that time including ICC Champions Trophy and Afro-Asia Cup. We will visit Zimbabwe next July to play five one-day matches and two four-dayers and then host them in November-December," said Mahbub.

"The matches against Zimbabwe is an additional arrangement for us. After fulfilling the FTP's minimum requirements and playing the ICC events any country can increase the number of Test and one-day matches in bilateral negotiation and we will definitely try to do that," he added.

Mahbub also hinted that they are trying to arrange some three-match Test and five-match one-day home series during that period.

In the six-year plan Bangladesh is expected to play 41 to 42 Tests and 105 to 140 one-day internationals.