Tigers to play BBL champs

Defending champions Sydney Thunder, and Sydney Sixers will tackle a Bangladesh Cricket Board XI as part of their preparations for this summer's Big Bash League.

The Sixers will meet the BCB XI on December 14, with the fixture against the Thunder to be staged two days later, according to cricket.com.au

The games will act as warm-up matches for Bangladesh ahead of their month-long tour of New Zealand, which will comprise five ODIs and two Tests.

Bangladesh coach Chandika Hathurusingha, who previously coached New South Wales and the Thunder, said competing against some of Australia's best short-form players would be a valuable opportunity for his group.

“We'll get a lot out of it, playing in different conditions against teams in Australia,” Hathurusingha said.

“With the Thunder I thought it was a good way to see how these guys measured up against the champions as it'll give us a lot of confidence if we do well.