Owing to extreme political turmoil in the subcontinent, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has shown willingness to send Bangladesh team for the next two-test series. Recently, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled Bangladesh amidst a dire crisis that has struck this nation. In addition, even homes belonging to prominent sports personalities such as Mashrafe Mortaza and Litton Das were set ablaze.
In the middle of the mess, uncertainty hangers over whether the bilateral series will be held or abandoned. It is reported by PTI that PCB has made an offer to BCB which will confirm that players are taken to Pakistan in safety for the series. The deal includes orphanage of players for some time after the tour until things back home settle down.
Nonetheless, BCB has not responded yet on this goodwill gesture from PCB. In this transitional phase too there are problems with cricket governing body, as BCB president Najmul Hossain Papon is leaving country also.
“The PCB has even offered to host their players for the extra days and provide them with all training facilities in Rawalpindi ahead of the Test matches but they have not responded as yet,” a PCB source told PTI.
The Bangladesh A team was also supposed to go to Pakistan for a shadow tour, but they still haven’t left the country because of the airport’s closure. Depending on how things play out in the next days, the matches may be postponed.
The first Test match between Pakistan and Bangladesh is set to start on August 21
The same nations will partake in two match Test series as one of the ongoing 2023-25 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle events. The series opener matches will begin on 21st August, specifically in Rawalpindi if Bangladesh can visit Pakistan without any hitches.
In addition, Karachi will host the second and final Test match starting from August 30, 2023. Bangladesh last toured Pakistan back in 2020 when they played all formats of cricket including their white-ball games but unfortunately this was interrupted by COVID-19 hence their second leg had to be canceled.
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