Cricket News: Bangladesh to play Tests in Pakistan

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced early this week that Bangladesh will play two Tests, one ODI and three T20Is in the country that will be will be split across three legs. The announcement was right after the closed discussion with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).

The tour is part of the Future Tours Programme and the two-Test series will be counted in the World Test Championship. Officials from the PCB and BCB met in Dubai to discuss and approve these schedules despite the earlier decision of BCB to send the team only for a short period.

“I am pleased that we have amicably achieved a resolution that is in the best interest of this great sport as well as both the proud cricket playing countries. I also want to thank ICC Chairman Shaskank Manohar for the leadership he provided and ensured the sport continues to grow and thrive in the two countries,” said PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani. Manohar, ICC’s Chairman, acted as the facilitator in this meeting.

Previously, the BCB had indicated that they are declining the proposal to play a Test series in Pakistan due to security concerns following the recent tension in the Middle East. Bangladesh Cricket Board president Nazmul Hassan told earlier that “the current state in the Middle East is definitely different than other times.”

“They (government authorities) have told us to play the three Twenty20s as quickly as possible in a short period. Later, if the situation improves, we can play the Test matches. We are going to communicate the same thing to Pakistan Cricket Board,” Hassan told reporters in Dhaka a week before this new decision.

Hassan eventually agreed with the schedule after the meeting in Dubai. “I must thank the PCB for understanding our position. We are pleased that a mutually acceptable resolution has been reached and this is a prime example our sincere efforts at respecting the ICC FTP commitments,” Hassan said.

Tour schedule:

24 Jan – 1st T20I, Lahore
25 Jan – 2nd T20I, Lahore
27 Jan – 3rd T20I, Lahore
7-11 Feb – 1st Test, Rawalpindi
3 Apr – One-off ODI, Karachi
5-9 Apr – 2nd Test, Karachi

“Bangladesh will visit Pakistan thrice, which should give them the comfort that Pakistan is as safe and secure as any other cricket playing country,” said PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan. Test cricket returned to Pakistan in December for the first time since 2009 when the country hosted Sri Lanka for two matches.