ICC: 'Associate members could become Test nations'

The International Cricket Council has confirmed that associate members will have the opportunity to become full Test-playing nations with the introduction of a Test Challenge.

It has been confirmed that there will be a playoff every four years between the ICC Intercontinental Cup winners and the 10th-ranked - therefore lowest - Test team, with the first Challenge taking place in 2018.

"The ICC Test Challenge now opens the door for Associate Members to play Test cricket and in doing so gives even greater context to the ICC Intercontinental Cup, which will now be a pathway to Test cricket," ICC chief executive David Richardson told Sky Sports News.

Bangladesh are currently the 10th-placed nation in the ICC rankings.