Bangladesh Cricket Board Requests Security Consultant for Pakistan Tour
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has requested the government to provide a security consultant for their upcoming tour of Pakistan, scheduled for July and August. This request comes amidst concerns raised by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) regarding the safety of the Indian team during the ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan next year.
The BCB’s cricket operation chairman, Jalal Yunus, expressed concerns about security but stated that the board had received assurances from Pakistan and had decided to proceed with the tour. He emphasized the importance of a security consultant to maintain constant communication with the government on security matters.
Bangladesh is set to play two Tests in Pakistan, with the first match in Rawalpindi from July 21 and the second in Karachi from August 30. Yunus noted that none of the Bangladesh players had expressed reservations about the tour and that recent teams visiting Pakistan had been satisfied with the security arrangements.
“We agreed to go on this tour because they ensured us of that,” Yunus said, referring to the security provided during the Asia Cup in Pakistan. “You might have seen in recent times that some international teams have also visited (Pakistan) and they are quite happy with the security they provided.”
The BCCI, on the other hand, is still awaiting permission from the Government of India for the Indian team’s participation in the Champions Trophy in Pakistan. The BCCI has repeatedly raised concerns about the safety of its players and staff in Pakistan, citing past incidents of violence and terrorism.
The security situation in Pakistan has improved in recent years, but concerns remain, particularly in the wake of the 2022 attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore. The BCB’s request for a security consultant reflects the ongoing need for vigilance and the importance of ensuring the safety of players and officials during international cricket matches.