LAHORE – Bangladesh tour to Pakistan for one One-day international and a one-off Twenty20 will become a first drop for return of international cricket to Pakistan that could end the exile of Pakistan hosting international cricket team in their backyard as Bangladesh has agreed to tour Pakistan subject to various security clearances.
Earlier, Bangladesh had originally agreed to play a series in Pakistan in April 2012, but the Dhaka High Court ruled it out on the basis of players’ safety. Pakistan has not hosted an international game since 2009 after an attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in March 2009.
Enayet Husain Siraj, the Bangladesh board's head of cricket operations, quoted as saying the private news channels: "We have in principle agreed to tour Pakistan. It's a commitment made by former BCB (Bangladesh Cricket Board) president Mustafa Kamal and we are keeping his word."
He added: "The tour is subject to security clearance." Since the attacks, Pakistan has played their 'home' games all over the world, but mostly in the United Arab Emirates.
Earlier, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had told the BCB that no Pakistani player will be permitted to play in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) to get BCB assurance for the said tour before allowing its players to figure in the second edition of the BPL.
About Bangladesh tour, the Pakistan Cricket Board spokesman reportedly quoted as saying on private TV channels that negotiations between the two boards are underway.
This scribe tried to contact the PCB spokesman Nadeem Sarwar to get board version but his cell phone was powered off.
Meanwhile, if one One-day and a Twenty20 match series being occurred between the two countries in January 2013, it will be a great achievement for the Pakistan Cricket Board chief Zaka who after assuming charge wanted the revival of international cricket in Pakistan.
Earlier, he broke the ice between the arch-rivals India and Pakistan for revival of cricket relations between the two neighbouring countries. His efforts yield fruit and India agreed to host Pakistan for a two Twenty20 internationals and three ODIs series on their soil that will commence from December 25 to January 6 when England team will return to United Kingdom after the conclusion of Test series against India to celebrate Christmas and New Year from December 20 to January 10.
The Bangladesh series can be held from January 8 to January 17, 2013. The auction for Bangladesh Premier League will commence from January 19 in which Pakistani players will be given NOC for their participation in the second edition of Bangladesh Premier League. Earlier PCB refused to allow Pakistan players to participate in the Bangladesh Premier League due to some dispute regarding delay in payments to the Pak players who appeared in the inaugural edition of the BPL.