Despite the ceasefire, Pakistan has not fully recovered from the aftermath of military strikes. The country’s security situation remains unclear. Adding to the concern, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) suspended three domestic leagues yesterday, which has raised alarms for the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).
If full security cannot be guaranteed, the Bangladesh tour of Pakistan may be canceled. Given the current situation, BCB officials are reluctant to send the national team to Pakistan. On Saturday, Youth and Sports Advisor Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan stated that it would not be appropriate for Bangladesh to travel to Pakistan due to security reasons.
In this context, there is growing support for holding the series at a neutral venue, such as the United Arab Emirates. However, Geo TV sports journalist Sohaib Imran reported that the PCB remains optimistic about hosting the scheduled five-match T20 series against Bangladesh.
The BCB’s Cricket Operations department has been in regular contact with the PCB. However, the department’s chairman, Nazmul Abedin Fahim, has not been able to provide any updates regarding the progress.
When asked about the series, PCB Media Manager Raja mentioned, “The situation here has returned to normal. There is no security crisis. We still have a few days left. The Bangladesh team will play two T20 matches on May 17 and 19. They are expected to arrive in Dubai around May 14. We hope everything will be sorted by then.”
The duration of the India-Pakistan ceasefire is still unclear. Media reports indicate that the Indian Air Force has conducted strikes in Pakistan. However, there has been no official statement from Pakistan regarding this. While the war may have paused, it remains uncertain whether Pakistan can provide the necessary security to host international series at this time.
UA / TDS
