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The Bangladesh cricket team's upcoming two-Test series against Pakistan, scheduled to begin on August 21 in Rawalpindi, is facing uncertainty due to the ongoing civil unrest in the country. The situation has been exacerbated by the resignation and subsequent departure of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
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Bangladesh Tour of Pakistan in Jeopardy
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is facing a challenging decision as the safety and security of the national team is paramount. Even the Bangladesh A team's shadow tour has been thrown into doubt, with former Test captain Mominul Haque set to miss the series against Pakistan Shaheens.
In an effort to salvage the series, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly extended an offer to the BCB to expedite the Bangladesh team's travel to Rawalpindi. However, the final decision rests with the Bangladesh government and cricket board.
"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,” he said, as quoted by NDTV Sports.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board's decision to postpone the departure of its A team to Pakistan by 48 hours has cast significant doubt over the upcoming Test series between the two nations. The deteriorating political situation in Bangladesh, including reports of attacks on the homes of several cricketers, has further compounded the crisis. With the A team's arrival delayed and the Test squad scheduled to travel on August 17, the entire tour is now uncertain. The A team's first four-day match is slated for August 11, and this delay adds another layer of complexity to the situation. Notably, Bangladesh has not toured Pakistan since 2019-20.
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PCB in Constant Communication with BCB
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed that it is maintaining regular contact with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) amidst the ongoing crisis. However, the PCB source acknowledged that communication challenges persist due to the prevailing circumstances in Bangladesh.
"With the BCB president (Najmul Hosain Papon) also leaving the country, apparently the board is not functioning normally," he said.
The political unrest in Bangladesh has reached alarming levels, with reports indicating that the hourse of former cricket captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza was set ablaze amid the violence and chaos that erupted following Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's resignation and departure on Monday.
Mashrafe Mortaza, who serves as a Member of Parliament for the Narail-2 constituency in Khulna division, had won his seat for the second consecutive term as an Awami League candidate in the general elections earlier this year.
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