Bangladesh cancel Pakistan tour over security concerns
DHAKA: Bangladesh are unlikely to tour Pakistan next month due to security concerns, despite making a commitment to do so at an International Cricket Council (ICC) meeting in October.
Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Zaka Ashraf said on Dec. 21 the BCB had confirmed a visit in January, which would have made Bangladesh the first international side to tour Pakistan since armed militants attacked the Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore in 2009.
Eight Pakistanis were killed and six Sri Lanka players were wounded when gunmen fired on their coach as they were being driven to a stadium in Lahore.
“We have made a commitment to travel to Pakistan. But still there are some concerns,” said Bangladesh Cricket Board President Nazmul Hasan at news conference on Monday.
“We have noticed the security situation in Pakistan has not improved significantly, rather deteriorated. In this circumstance, we think it will not be very wise to tour.
“We have conveyed our decision to Pakistan already. We are observing the situation. If the situation improves we will keep our commitment.”
Nazmul added that it was a very difficult decision for them to make.
“We have made a commitment to travel to Pakistan. It was even in the minutes of an ICC meeting that we will go even if it does not provide the match officials,” he said.
“So it was almost mandatory for us. But we believe that the security of players and officials are the most important thing.”
Bangladesh had agreed to send a team to Pakistan in April this year to play a Twenty20 match and one-day international in Lahore.
However, the Dhaka High Court issued a restraining order stopping Bangladesh from playing in Pakistan due to security concerns.
The BCB president added that they were ready to face possible repercussions from Pakistan, who are determined to bring international cricket back to the country.
“We are aware that Pakistan will not be happy with our decision. They might not send players in our domestic cricket, may not cooperate us in many other fields and we have to accept it,” he said.
Afzalur Rahman Sinha, a BCB member and chairman of Bangladesh Premier League governing council chairman, said the Twenty20 tournament would go ahead even if Pakistan does not allow its players to take part.
More than 50 Pakistani players were auctioned for the second edition of the league earlier this month, but media reports suggested Pakistan would not allow its players to take part unless Bangladesh decided to tour.
“We believe no one is indispensable. The tournament will go ahead if even if Pakistani players don’t come,” he said.
Bangladesh cancel pakistan tour – LOL LOL
Lets be practical here, the horror news comes out of Pakistan on almost daily basis is enough for any one even not to visit Pakistan.
Pakistanese are immune to these news for them its just another day but for the rest of the world its a big no no.
I seriously question the mindset of government and PCB when they show so much desperation to invite below average teams.
Just this weeks suicides attacks and bomb blast in the country is enough to prove the outside world point of view. On top our “innocence’ government sending invitation to other teams and I am sure they are like ‘are u kidding us’.
correct comments, you should develop your security system then offer/invite us…..
I had predicted in my comments earlier that as long as Hasina Wajid is in power there will be no visit of Bangladesh team to Pakistan . We were fools to believe in Bangladesh promise . DO NOT EXPECT ANY THING GOOD FROM BANGLADESH . They have always betrayed us and will continue to do so . Why cant we forget the concept of Muslim Ummah and get on with our lives as Pakistanis . We have always been good muslims and we dont have to prove any thing to any body .
@ muzammil ullah khan: when your solders were mass rapes our daughters, sisters, as well killed over 30 hundred thousand peoples thought most of them were Muslim, where was your Muslim brother Hood at that times??? Now Just BD refused to visit PK since your internal security system not enough good & you are screaming?????
I am from Bangladesh. I believe it was a wise decision by BCB. Just two days ago 20 police man were shot dead in Pakistan. If security officials are not secured how do you expect international players would be secured. I would expect Pakistanis to be more rational in their thinking rather than being emotional. Maybe use your emotion to improve your security situation. Once your country is secured everyone would want to play in your country. Don’t visit Bangladesh. We don’t want any pakistanis to visit our country. BPL don’t need any Pakistani players; who knows they might spoil our internal security in Bangladesh.
Why is your title Kuttapakki? You may differ from Pakistan and its views but please use proper words.
This is third time BCB say yes and than say no. Please confirm with your board and than wrote, or may be you need to take your words back….pg
thanks for a brave & true writing
friends dont take it wrong …………….. i live in uk & i have got some pakistani friends they almost finish their study from uk but they dont want to back pakistan again concern of security reason. my question is to you why you people blame Bangladesh ??? if you people love you & your country you should make better environment for all. your country media & other media introduce pakistan as a security less country. i have not visit pakistan but im sceard about pakistan. as a muslim i like pakistan & pakistani people.
As a Hindu, I like Pakistan and I like Bangalesh too, how about that? Is there something wrong with me or with you ?
wrong with him…what you know…the religious fundamentalism…see his comments…jsu because Muslim lives in Pakistan he loves them…oh…brother…do u know who is your ancestors?
I think problem is with you Raj, You have a disease called “Normal”, It is very painful.
Are you suggesting we freeze life untill things get better. What do you think this tour need was all about.
In all honesty, I think BCB is playing politics. They have backed out twice, after making plans to visit, when condition in Pakistan are the same( worse has not gotten any worse).
I agree with Zaka Ashraf response to BCB.
I had all respects for BD team as you do for us, but BCB indeciciveness is only making Pakistan look worse.
Why can’t we play outside if the other counties are not willing to come here? And i suppose Bangladesh is not worth a country to look for if we really want our team and our players to contest against a quality side.
a country which cant even provide the least of securities for its people. how ,how, how could you dare to expect other countries to put their life on the verge of death.? to all pak fans, its not about expressing emotion by abusing other country but realizing the bitter truth. ask yourself ,are you well prepared to invite a team? look around,then you will get the answer. Grow Up people!!!!!
Absolutly Agree with Bangla desh decision … No one want to cut off for cricket …Cricket is a game. And I also suggest for pakistan to send players to BPL…
Let’s not forget not every society is a crime-free society. I know bombings do take place in Pakistan. But when we assure you the security means we are better to take care of it. We, Pakistanis, granted them the presidential escort throughout the series (which they don’t even deserve), but just for the sake to restore cricket in our home grounds we had to. We refused to take the bounty of ICC vice chairmanship and gifted it to Kamal Of Bangladesh as a good gesture and in return kamal promised Bangla will play but their supreme court played a double-game that time.
We won’t protest or say a single word to Bangladesh for their double-policy (agreeing at one hand and denying on the second day of it). Instead, we will act maturely to re-instate that, our players don’t have time to come and play your BPL.
Alhumdulillah, we have a bright future in both the cricket and country awaiting. My Pakistani Brothers and sisters not to worry about anything happening around. Bad days do not stay for long and neither do good days. JazakAllah!
Remember the same in your good days !
And there is one more saying dear “as you sow so shall you reap” ever heard of that ? its more apt on Pakistan’s current situation !!
I don’t agree with every thing you wrote Mr.Farukh. Who wants to tour a country, where no one is secure any more. When you couldn’t even save your’s to become head of the state(Benezir), or to save the most friendly cricketers(Sri Lankans), how you will be saved from these good for nothing fanatics. No, I don’t blame Bangladesh for not touring Pakistaan. What they did wrong was to make a promise, they couldn’t keep. You are living in a fairy tale, and asking people to do the same. Come on Wake Up. Aqil Siddiqi (Canada)
Brother,I think ,u r taking emotionally.U sud not blame BCB.I think Pakistan would not support if it were Bangladesh.As Bangladeshi, we want the development of Pakistan in every sector but Pakistan is not safe country for any person as they cann’t secure their own Minister who was killed few days ago.
Its not only Pakistan where head of states go down….Bangladesh is also in the same list….
Aqil! with all due respect. Answer me why than BCB have offered to visit twice, when Pakistan is such an insecure state for them.
And please don’t tell me that they were trying to help Pakistan and hoping things might get better. It just doesnt fly with most of us Pakistanis any more.
Furukh,
You are a dreamer. Wake up my friend our country is in turmoil. Who cares If I am Sunni or Shia. Look around you and see how many people are open minded. Again every person need to keep their riligion to their self, We all have to go under 6 feet one day. Whatever I am doing it is between me and my Allah Mian.
I dont understand how can Pakistan expect other teams to visit where security is a grave cocern. Pakistan governement has miserably failed to provide security to people of Pakistan, You cant even move around without risking your life. Even going to mosques or school is not safe. I dont think anybody should visit Pakistan. You want to play cricket but not at risk of your life.
Security concerns…….agreed. But what was your Tom and Jerry board thining when they agreed to tour at first place, not once but twice, things were no different at those times. These clowns at the BCB keep playing the same jokes that’s what irks every body. The reality is that no one really cares about this team and we very likely would have witnessed empty stadiums. Time for PCB to stop begging and move on.
Security is concern of Govt. plus ordinary people. If all of us take a pledge to report any unwanted and suspicious activities, things will change.
I agree with the first part – ordinary people ought to play an active role to bring about the change that they want. But how is it going to be implemented in the current situation? People do not dare to report suspicious activities for fear of repercussions by the mighty insurgents or even the government. It will take greater incentive to get the ordinary populace involved.
I wish PCB would be great enough to give its players permission to play in the BPL and show the World that PCB does not believe in tit for tat for the sake of the cricketers and their fans.
Hahaa. Nice joke!!!
I think, I as a Pakistani is more excited to see Pakistani Players in Quaid e Azam trophy, as it is one of the most prestigious trophy in Pakistan domestic cricket. And there are still many qualitative talented young Pakistanis that we get to see in action, whom otherwise we don’t.
I don’t think situation was much different when BCB committed to the tour. They got PCB support in ICC election, they got Pakistani players for BPL, they got accolades from Pakistani media and then they chose to make fool of PCB. It can’t get worse. Can BCB let us know what made them make the tour decision initially? What was different that time?
Well said!!!
Its all Indian influence, their society is more alligned with Hindu culture and BCB, like other boards, can’t survive without taking Indian dictation. What BCB are today is because of Pakistan’s behind the door support and efforts. I think its about the time that Pakistan reciprocate and refuse to tour in response. After all, there is life after cricket.
Well if your minister were not killed, if there were no shooting+killing of police men, i.e. if there were no war like situation in Pakistan then BCB might have some ground to defend. But now that there was no improvement in the security situation (actually worsen) and all the cricket fan in Bangladesh protesting against the tour, if BCB would send the team by going against all these warnings and if ‘not a boom’ – ‘not a bullet’ but just a single stone were thrown to any BD cricket person then the whole Bangladesh would go furious, not only against BCB but also against the Govt. (which is already under too much pressure). Isn’t it too much risk for BCB/Govt. to take?
invite a team having reputation….don’t lose weight of your country
..
brilliant comments. hats off to you.
Sure, go ahead and send out your invitation. It is not like Sri Lanka or England have a problem coming to Pakistan. Oh wait…
Bangladesh says Pakistanis are NOT indispensible!!!!!!!! DO YOU HEAR THAT???????
Who cares if Bangladeshi teams plays in Pakistan or not. Their game of cricket speaks for itself. Their cricket is down to the level where they would be thrown out of any international cricket. Bangladesh does not understand it , its their problem.
Even bangladesh roars against pakistan……..haha…..
A few weeks ago, when I read that Bangladesh has agreed to tour Pakistan, my comment was “Again”. Now Reading their refusal my comment is “Again”.
The liars !
banglas r faithfull i do,nt know when we will understand it.
ye sb b kar hai
a country which has a track record that in every news you her about bombing taking place in bus masjid even school…how come a team from an alien country come and play..this is a big setback for pakistani cricket
Not such a big setback. We are not ready to host a team, giving security concerns.
Hell to Bangladesh cricket board for playing Tom & Jerry & hell to PCB for begging
an inward cricket tour at all cost. PCB chief is responsible for the insult it is bringing
to Pakistan by begging for a tour. SHAME
Serves the Desperate PCB right for their low esteem begging from a 3rd class cricket team!
A third class team .A team who starts crying when they are defeated. Cricket is not the game of babies. Grow up Bangladesh.
Still better than selling national interests in cricket for money. Cricket is a game for gentlemen, anyone?
Has PCB ever thought of starting PPL?
No probs… wat do i have to do with the mashed potato when am enjoying a steak
…. Pak India series is going good 
:P
Pakistan should play India more often, to have the passion back in cricket. Until the current situation improves, do not invite any one..
cool man
Please invite Indian team. They will be ready to play in Pakistan.
Yes, that’s true. Despite India and Pakistan can not see eye to eye on a lot of issues , but still they are grown up states. Bangladesh needs to grow up and show some maturity. I think they are still struggling with their post liberation syndrome. God may help them to come back to their senses .
Dream on mate, you will only see Indian cricketers play cricket in Pakistan in your dreams. Have you Pakistanis ever asked your government why Pakistan as a nation is sold to Taliban?
I hope Pakistanis don’t complain (whine) about it now. Honestly, how can you expect to host international events when bombs go off everyday. It may have been stable for a short while but the monsters are back to work, again. Lets be rational and not emotional and see what’s been happening and the overall situation which is not at all conducive to hosting international events.
I agree with the decision of BCB. Despite claims of victimhood by the PPP government, it is in fact the whole country which is a victim of their ineptness.
Bangladesh again breached…
In my opinion it’s a wise decision.
its a good decision.and pakistan should not mind it.and pcb should allow pakistani players to play bpl and it will provide exposure and experience to our pakistani players,already ipl doors are closed for pakistani players
Seek exposure elsewhere not in BD.
I disagree. Exposure of Pakistani youngsters with national players in Quaide Azam trophy is much better for Pakistan’s cricket, than the individual financial benefit of a player by playing in BPL. ( That too is in doubt as last time not all were completely compensated).