The Bengali team’s hesitation to come to Pakistan puts both series and PSL5 at risk
Pakistan Cricket Board stands by its decision to host the Bangladesh cricket team on home ground.
The Bangladesh men’s cricket team tour of Pakistan was thrown into question when some players expressed concerns. According to reports, players and coaches have expressed reluctance to tour Pakistan for a three-week period.
Security Concerns in Bangladesh camp
Players and coaches in the Bangladesh camp, including head coach Russell Domingo, fast bowling coach Charl Langeveldt and batting consultant Neil McKenzie, had already expressed publicly that they did not want the tour to be 21 days long because of security concerns.
It was reported that the camp would be okay with a T20 tour which would last 7-8 days. They do not want to be in the country for 21 days which would be required for the additional two Test matches.
“The players aren’t willing to go to Pakistan for a tour spanning over three weeks. The coaching staff had already expressed their disapproval. Three T20Is are ok, as the tour will finish in seven-eight days. But they don’t want to go there for 21 days,” a Bengali Cricket Board (BCB) official told the Indian Express.
PCB Responds
Bangladesh might lose valuable points if they decide not to play the two Tests. The two tests are part of the ICC Test Championship and this series was previously agreed to by the BCB.
“If we don’t tour, that would be because of force majeure. We might request the PCB to host the series at a neutral venue. If it comes to that, we hope the ICC would consider our case”.
BCB Official
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A close source stated that the team is still shaken up by the Christchurch terrorist attack from their New Zealand tour. It is also stated that the Bangladesh management does not feel that Pakistan is not secure country and they still have their reservations about the tour.
However, PCB officials have stated that there should be no such issue as both the Bangladesh women’s team and the U-16 team have already toured Pakistan recently.
“PCB feels that there should be no issue for the men’s team to visit now as two teams from the country (Bangladesh) have already been hosted by us.”
This news has not been well received in the Pakistani camp since the Sri Lankan board had recently conducted a full fledge overview of Pakistan’s security and agreed it is safe to tour. However, after the main Sri Lankan team did not agree to play the T20s in Pakistan, the Sri Lankan board was forced to send a second 11. This might have set a precedent for other teams and players to reconsider their decision to tour Pakistan.
