(Source X)
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has expressed apprehensions regarding the safety of their national team ahead of their scheduled two-match Test series against Pakistan, preceding the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. According to reports, the BCB has formally requested the government to appoint a security consultant to oversee their upcoming tour of Pakistan.
This development follows similar concerns raised by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) regarding the safety of the Indian team during their potential visit to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. The BCCI is currently awaiting clearance from the Government of India to finalize their plans for the tournament scheduled for February-March 2025.
We Are Very Much Concerned About The Security – Jalal Yunus
Jalal Yunus, Chairman of Cricket Operations at the Bangladesh Cricket Board, emphasized their concerns regarding security but indicated their willingness to proceed with the tour to Pakistan upon receiving adequate assurances. He also disclosed that they have formally approached the government to provide a security consultant for ensuring safety throughout the tour.
“We are also very much concerned about the security but after knowing everything and after getting assurance from them regarding the security we have fixed the tour,” said Jalal Yunus.
“At the same time we have requested the government to give us a security consultant during the tour who will maintain communication with them at all times regarding the security issues,” he added.
The Bangladesh cricket team is scheduled to depart for Pakistan on August 17 to participate in a two-match Test series. The first match is slated to be held at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi, scheduled from August 21 to 25. The second and final match of the series will be hosted at the National Stadium in Karachi, running from August 30 to September 3.
They Provided Us with State-Level Security – Jalal Yunus
According to Jalal Yunus, there have been no objections from Bangladesh players regarding the upcoming tour. He pointed out that during the Asia Cup 2023, the Bangladesh team received robust security arrangements. Yunus stated that based on their positive experience with security during last year’s Asia Cup, they have confidently opted to go ahead with the tour.
“Look providing safety is up to them (Pakistan) and we go there because they assure us to provide state-level security and after they assured us about it, the tour was fixed.”
“I guess you have seen in the Asia Cup that the Bangladesh team traveled to Pakistan and they provided us state-level security and we agreed to go on this tour because they assured us of that.”
“You might have seen in recent times that some international teams have also visited [Pakistan] and they are quite happy with the security they provided,” Jalal further stated.
Ahead of the two-match Test series, the Bangladesh A team, featuring senior players Mushfiqur Rahim and Mominul Haque, will embark on a tour to Pakistan. They are scheduled to participate in two four-day matches and three one-day encounters. Anamul Haque Bijoy will lead the team in the four-day series, while Towhid Hridoy has been appointed captain for the 50-over matches.
The Bangladesh A team is set to depart for Pakistan on August 6. The four-day matches are slated to take place from August 10-13 and August 17-20, followed by the one-day fixtures scheduled for August 23, 25, and 27 in Islamabad.
