Bangladesh Cricket Board Moves to Seek Players’ Approval for Pakistan Tour
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has started asking individual players if they would be willing to tour Pakistan for the proposed Test and T20I series. This is a standard process for every tour, however, given the well-stated reluctance displayed in multiple statements by the Board President Nazmul Hassan, this is a significant move.
According to ESPNCricinfo, one Test specialist has already given his consent for the tour of Pakistan. This reflects that the board is still considering the option to play the Test matches in Pakistan. Earlier, the BCB President had stated that the staff and players want to see the tour divided into two halves with the T20I series happening first. This would give them the opportunity to see the security arrangements on the ground so they can feel more comfortable for the longer, test tour.
It is likely that the final decision will be taken on the 12th of January, after the board’s meeting. Nazmul Hassan is also likely to meet the players today to discuss the tour. If the tour does go ahead, the team will arrive in Pakistan on 18th January.
Pakistan Cricket Board had made public statements and raised concerns about the lack of positive response from the BCB. In case the players refuse to play the Test matches in Pakistan, it will be interesting to see if the PCB will postpone the whole tour or it does go ahead with the T20I series only.
