Bangladesh men's kabaddi team are set to play a five-match test series against Sri Lanka at the Palton ground in Dhaka from February 18 to 29.

The series aims to provide "more international exposure to the national kabaddi team," said Shah Newas Shohag, general secretary of the Bangladesh Kabaddi Federation ad-hoc committee, yesterday.

"As far as I know, Bangladesh hosted such a kabaddi test series involving India in 1974," he informed The Daily Star, adding that they plan to arrange similar series against stronger teams like Iran and Pakistan.

In preparation for the Sri Lanka series, the BKF has announced a 27-member preliminary squad for a residential training camp starting on January 10 at the Kabaddi Court. Six players will join the camp after competing in the franchise-based Nepal Kabaddi League, running from January 17 to February 1.

Badsha Mia, a former national player turned coach, has been appointed as the head coach, with Ashraful Alam and Bazlur Rashid serving as assistant coaches.

Responding to a query, Shohag explained that they could not appoint National Sports Council coach Abdul Jalil -- who led the national team to their fourth consecutive Bangabandhu International Kabaddi Cup title last year -- as he is currently contracted with the Bangladesh Police kabaddi team for their preparations from December 10 to March 31.

Meanwhile, the BKF has also selected 27 players to prepare for the Women's Asian Championship in February in Iran and the Women's World Cup in March-April in India.

Additionally, the ad-hoc committee has finalised a six-month plan encompassing age-level training for boys and girls, national men's and women's championships, a youth festival, the junior services kabaddi league, and the corporate women's kabaddi league.