Mohsin Naqvi-led Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has extended an accommodating offer to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) amid the current civil unrest in their country.
The PCB’s proposal includes flying the Bangladesh Test team to Rawalpindi immediately to ensure the smooth commencement of the two-Test series, scheduled to begin on August 21.
This initiative comes in response to the political turmoil in Bangladesh following the resignation and departure of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The ensuing instability has cast doubt on the Bangladesh cricket team’s ability to travel as planned.
A PCB official revealed that the apex cricket board is prepared to host the Bangladeshi team for additional days and provide comprehensive training facilities in Rawalpindi. Despite this proactive approach, the BCB has yet to respond.
The situation remains precarious, as evidenced by the BCB’s recent decision to delay the departure of their A team to Pakistan by 48 hours.
This postponement has further fueled speculation regarding the feasibility of the senior men’s series. Reports of attacks on the residences of senior Bangladeshi players have only deepened the crisis.
Currently, the BCB A team is rescheduled to arrive in Pakistan on August 8, with the Test squad expected to follow on August 17. The A team’s first four-day match is set for August 11.
Amid these uncertainties, the PCB remains in close contact with the BCB, striving to ensure the series proceeds according to the plan. However, with BCB President Najmul Hosain Papon also having left the country, the board’s operations are significantly disrupted.
The PCB official highlighted the difficulties, stating that the BCB president leaving the country has disrupted the functionality of the Bangladesh board.