Bangladesh’s cricket tour

The decision of the Bangladesh cricket team to not play Test matches in Pakistan is preposterous. The Bangladesh Cricket Board has cited regional tensions in the Middle East as an excuse to stay from a tour of Pakistan.

The picture is not clear and PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani is expected to meet BCB president this week in Dubai to keep the scheduled tour on track. After delaying the decision for several weeks, Bangladesh turned down the offer to play Test matches in Pakistan, saying it wants to keep the tour short and play T20 matches only.

The excuse citing US-Iran tensions is rather absurd as it does not directly affect Pakistan. This also means that Bangladesh would rule on playing a neutral venue such as Dubai where Pakistan has played much of its matches in the last decade due to the adverse security situation.

The Bangladesh cricket board has stated that it has received security clearance to only play T20 matches in Pakistan. This has given credence to allegations that Bangladesh cricket is strongly influenced by India. Bangladesh had earlier refused to include any Pakistani player in the Asia XI side which will play two exhibition matches in March to celebrate the centenary of its founder.

Pakistan recently hosted Sri Lanka for a separate T20 and Test series. Sri Lanka Captain Angelo Mathews hailed the security arrangements and efforts of the law-enforcement agencies. Apart from Lahore, matches were also held in Karachi and Rawalpindi. West Indies player Chris Gayle, who has played in Pakistan in the first two editions of the PSL, has termed the country as one of the safest to play cricket.

The entire next edition of the PSL will now be held in Pakistan and even the foreign players have agreed to play here after the recent experience. All 34 matches will be held in four international venues including Lahore, Rawalpindi, Karachi, and Multan. This will further boost the economy and tourism as well as help improve the situation in the country.  

The proposed tour features three T20 matches in Lahore followed by two Tests. Pakistan had offered to fly Bangladesh’s cricket team in and out of the country after each match – land in Karachi and fly back to Dhaka, and then return to Rawalpindi directly. Bangladesh has not played in Pakistan since 2007 and pulling out shortly before the tour will impact cricketing ties and the sport.