The ceasefire between India and Pakistan has brought relief to cricketers on both sides. As a result, both the IPL and PSL are set to resume on May 17, with franchises already beginning preparations. Foreign players have been asked to return, though not all may rejoin. Still, the excitement around these franchise leagues is unlikely to fade. For Pakistani cricketers, returning to the field will feel as joyous as celebrating Eid. That joy would double if Bangladesh’s five-match T20 series in Pakistan goes ahead—a tour that remains uncertain due to ongoing security concerns.
Bangladesh’s cricketers are reportedly anxious about traveling to Pakistan. Several players from the national T20 squad have privately expressed that if the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) instructs them to go, they intend to voice their objections. Although the military tensions between India and Pakistan have eased, fear still lingers among Bangladeshi players, dampening their willingness to tour Pakistan.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has sent a revised tour schedule to the BCB, proposing five T20 matches from May 27 to June 5, following the PSL final on May 25. The PCB has retained Faisalabad and Lahore—both near the India-Pakistan border—as venues. According to a journalist in Lahore, the first two matches are slated for May 27 and 28 in Faisalabad, while the remaining three could be held in Lahore between May 30 and June 3, depending on BCB’s agreement. The scheduling has also taken Eid festivities into account.
Despite PCB’s willingness to host, BCB remains undecided, primarily due to player concerns. A cricketer, speaking anonymously, said, “BCB hasn’t informed us yet. If they decide to go ahead with the tour, we will raise our concerns. We don’t want to travel to Pakistan with fear and anxiety.”
A middle-order batter added, “Any decision regarding the tour should include input from the players. The truth is, at this moment, we don’t consider touring Pakistan to be safe.”
Two days earlier, T20 captain Liton Das said in a press conference that they are willing to tour Pakistan if BCB decides so, effectively placing the responsibility on the board and putting pressure on officials. BCB Media Committee Chairman Iftikhar Rahman commented, “A meeting will be held tomorrow to make a decision. I personally believe it’s best to leave this matter to the government. The state is better equipped to assess security risks.”
On May 10, the Youth and Sports Advisor stated that “it is not safe to tour Pakistan at the moment.” However, the ceasefire announcement later that evening gave BCB the green light to consult with PCB and assess the situation before making a decision.
Yesterday, the press secretary to the Sports Advisor, Mahfuzul Alam, confirmed, “BCB has been given the authority to make the decision based on Pakistan’s security situation. If they prefer to consult the government, the ministry will review the matter. As of now, BCB has not officially sought a state-level decision.”
Meanwhile, with the uncertainty over the Pakistan tour hanging in the air, the T20 squad departs for the UAE this morning at 10 AM. They will play two T20 matches against the UAE on May 17 and 19. During this series, Liton and his team are likely to learn the final decision regarding the Pakistan tour.
UA / TDS
