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.
PCB should make the thankless BCB suffer, in whichever way it can. The selfish board who got test status and recognised BPL because of us has shown its true worth.
Is Pakistan ready to provide high level security to BD team or any team? If BD team is attack by Terrorists, forget about Cricket in Pakistan for about 50 to 100 years. PCB and Pak government should be patient. Pakistani team is doing great winning all matches aboard so no need to hurry. Pakistan is still not safe place for anyone.
We can not force anybody play and should not be critical.
Come on BCB Tell the Truth
It’s very strange that BCB has declined to send its cricket team to Pakistan, despite its written commitment, noted in the minutes of the ICC and ICC is watching this TAMASHA from side lines.
BCB management must know that security concerns are everywhere in this world. Recently, West Indian cricket team’s bus was pelted with stones in BD, after the BD team lost the match against WI team, with a huge margin.
BCB management, should also know that many international events of different sports have been held peacefully in Pakistan, in the recent past.
Moreover, the BCB should also be in the notice that in the last few days, Pakistani and Indian Hockey Federations have signed an agreement of reciprocal hockey series, to be played for five years; wherein, the series will commence with the Indian Hockey team’s visit to Pakistan, in March 2013.
So, it will be better for the BCB to show its true colours; and tell the world the real reasons for not going to Pakistan; and not hide behind the pseudo mantra of security concern, which was personally checked by the BD security officials and openly declared, that Pakistani security plan for the BD cricketers, was absolutely perfect and satisfactory.
Here ICC must tell BCB that it has no right to play politics and unnecessarily malign Pakistan, on a non existent security issue.
I think you are crazy!
Javed helali
Nayyar51, so what is BCB’s true colour? and what is the real reason of cancelling the tour? you wrote a long comment without telling your story of truth.
Wrong. I dont think there is any way indian teams are visiting anytime soon. Pak has a genuine security issue and has gotten worse and not improved. You can forget about anyone visiting pak for a very long time..wether its to invest, to play or just a tourist. No one is coming.
A very good decision indeed, Pakistan is the most dangerous place in the world, who will provide guarantee for the security of Bangladeshi players, very wise decision
I am amazed why PCB is so focussed over brining in the international cricketers and putting their lives in danger. It would be good for all that PCB may advise the Pakistani government to conduct an impartial inquiry to trace the real culprts involved in attacking Sri Lankan cricketers, Which big power was involved in its planning, supplying in immonitions and so on. When we will show the world that we can trace our enemies, other countries would trust us and send their people to Pakistan. Whhile in current situation when our law enforcing agencies are clueless or involved in internal feuds it is used to ask such favours from other countries.
Pakistan is the main gate of Cricket and Hockey sports. Pakistani CB offiial should focus on work to invite gold medal teams to visit not the weakest cricket team to play a few fours or sixes shots in Pakistan. Thanks.
Ok, whom do you have in mind?
I do not understand why PAKISTANI players even think of going and playing in their so called bengali league which has no rating in the civilized world
who wants to play BD, anyway??? they have been in international cricket for more than 10 years and remain at the bottom of rankings…. We should remain patient , peace will come tp pakistan and this situation can not go for-ever… Peace did come in Sri Lanka, Vietnam and other regions of the world..The passion for the game is still very strong and we will remain a force in international cricket, irrespective of the present situation. I do understand other nations dilemma for not visiting pakistan presently.. but hopefully the situation will improve and the cricket crazy nation will see their stars play in pakistan.
Tamil war: 26 years, Vietnam war: 20 years. Yes, maybe by the time Pakistan becomes peaceful, Bangladesh will have progressed up the rankings. How about a bet – war ends before Bangladesh becomes higher ranked than Pakistan?
This is a very expected announcement. Pick up the history and read. whenever pakistan is on a tour, and have good performance, such news are systematically delivered to mess up with the players psyche.
what will follow will be back and forth relook of this decision by BD.
BDCB is no less corrupt than PCB or the Indian board.
wait and see.
BD team probably waiting for Irfan and Junaid to retire, before they feel safe.
what if bangladeshi players get attacked by the terrorists again? then pakistan will be banned forever from hosting cricket match,even pak’s membership of icc will be at risk. so be patient, and create a congenial environment,then we ,bangladesh,will visit you thats for sure
you (Bangladesh) got test status due to Pakistan, shame on you.
In todays time, where money is a scarce commodity, i do not know why pakistan is hell bent on inviting banagalis. In reality, the cost of the entire security apparatus that pakistan hires for these 12 smelly fishes is the total of Bangali GDP, so please Asraf, lets have a walk in the park and I’m sure we’ll find many better things to do with these monies
You apne chad par tatti karney wale, keep your trap shut.
At the moment GDP of Bangladesh is more than the GDP of Pakistan, And now a days Smelly Fishes are much more expensive and respected worldwide than Perfumed Taleban.
Not really.
I keep on hearing so called good boy Pakistan helped weak boy Bangladesh to get test status and now many Pakistanis are shaming them for not coming to Pakistan.
Pakistan is not safe place yet;full stop. First stop your daily “patakas of bombs” that enlightens daily Pakistani news headlines of killings and blood sheds.
So what do you expect ?, Bangaldeshies to risk their lives instead for your favor. No way !
We (Bangladesh) got Country status because of Pakistan as well, thank you. And now Baluchistan is in the ques, waiting for both test and country status, and it seems there waiting is almost over, Please Pakistan make the process quicker as you did for Bangladesh, if you need help India, USA, Israel is ready and eagerly waiting in the Dark.
Blame not Bangladeshis! If I were a player, I will think twice before playing in Pakistan, where things are very fluid and dangerous.
Than the players should address this, just like Australia and England? Why BCB is playing yes/no game?
I am amazed that how many pakistanis are actually supporting Bangladeshi Cricket Board decision.
Yes, we have security issues, yes Sril lankan team was attacked, but dont forget this has not happened in last 3-4 months. BCB knew all about it, and instead of being apologetic they really put the salt on the wounds by saying things like “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,”
I think it does not leave Pakistan any other honourable option but to sever our ties with Bangladesh, till the time Banglashi’s learn to honour their commitments and manipulating.
Pakistan’s cricket is very resilient, it has survived so far and will continue to do so.
I think it is better for Bdesh not to come to pakistan, we are not interested in watching then play here. Please dont do any favours to us, we dont beg cricket from you
Who want to watch BD team play cricket? We all know the definite outcome in advance.
Headlines of DAWN in last few days….
Seven killed as gunmen ambush NGO van near Swabi
Latest violence claims four lives in Karachi
21kidnapped levies found shot dead
Blast in karachi bus,6 killed
4 policeman shot dead in quetta
dont talk rubbish. if pakistan players are not in IPL then tell us whether pakistan will cancel the indian tour?…. it is upto your country to make necessary security arrangements for the tour, if there is no adequate measures not only bangladesh even associate nations will be boycotting your country.
Your statement “dont forget this has not happened in last 3-4 months.” is the most blatant lie in the history of mankind. Just read last 1 week’s news. Are you in complete denial of all these bomb blasts. This is like you are denying your own existence. This is from last 48 hours headline:
21 missing Pakistani policemen found shot dead by Taliban
19 pilgrims in Pakistan killed in blast
It seems like human lives are very cheap for you.
How would PCB react if Syria were to suddenly form a cricket team and invited Pakistan to play there next week? Outside looking in Pakistan looks only marginally better than Syria in terms of law and order. Pakistanis living in Pakistan have become so desensitized to regular bombings that all looks hunky dory to them.
obsurd example.
Better example would be Afghanistan
Come on, don’t exaggerate. Comparing the situation in Pakistan with the present Syria is way over the top. I do however agree that security climate in Pakistan needs to improve further, and it appears to be improving
Mr G.A show some courage to put your name properly before comparing Pakistan with Syria. If Bangladesh dont want to play thats Okay but making these silly comparasions is unjust. Just refresh your memory for the country who loose a World Cup match for you people to get Bangladesh Test status. Time never remains the same, true friends are those who stand in tuff time not wait for good time for help. Peace.
Bravo! Well bowled, Sir. You ‘googlied’ all the batsmen with your comment. Superb. Salams and a Happy New Year 2013.
Come on. Only certain rebel dominated villages of Syria are unsafe. True, Syria is in the middle of a rebellion, but most of the nation is ok. Can we say that about your beloved nation?
Lets be practical here, the horror news comes out of Pakistan on almost daily basis is enough for any one not to visit Pakistan.
Pakistanis are immune to these news for them its just another day but for the rest of the world its a big no no.
Just this weeks suicides attacks and bomb blast in the country is enough to prove the outside world point of view. On top PCB sending invitation to other teams and I am sure they are like ‘are u kidding us’.
Than just like all other boards please say ‘Are u kidding us’ …..and stop kidding with yes/no game.
Given the attitude of several Pakistani fans, it is wise decision. You people discredit other’s achievements by bringing in outlandish theories whenever your team looses.
Why the Bangladeshis should risk their lives for sake of your entertainment and ‘ghairat’ ? Cricket is not bigger than human lives.
If Bangladesh knew that they were not going to keep its commitment, then don’t commit in the first place. This was just done to get the post of ICC. Hypocrites! Pakistan should not trust them anymore, Period
We have never served a glass of acid to a foreign sportsman.
Yes its direct kill what you are good at.
The security concern in Pakistan didnt pop up overnight. Why did BCB made a commitment in the first place?
very well said
Exactly..u r absolutely rit!
Yes thats the point. Just say no for once and all…..and by the way Pakistanis dont like one sided matches…….
Even PCB knew Bangladesh was coming…did the Gov increase the security in the country???
Question your self before blaming others.
I have to agree with BCB not wanting to play in Pakistan, there security concern are valid as Pakistan governament has failed to provide security for its people.
Any one thinking of going to Pakistan is concerned with the security situation.
Concerned Pakistani……
I have to agree with Aqil, Hamid and others who think its a sensible decision on BCB part. Security is a big concern for every Pakistani citizen, let alone a visiting team.
I am a Pakistani and agree with BCB. Pakistan needs to put its house in order and tours will follow without begging (as before). We are ruled by most inept, corrupt bunch of people called PPP. Revenge on every Pakistani !!!
PCB chief needs to be fired. He has not done one good thing in his tenure. Why give consessions to Bangladesh (or any country for that matter) in ICC election? If PCB chief tried to make a deal with Bangladesh cricket board for Pakistani tour, he made a mistake. This is not how international sports is run. Quit. (I have nothing against Bangladesh decision. It is actually a risk to tour Pakistan for cricket. Not such a grave risk but somewhat of a risk.)
Good morning . seems like you just picked up the news and decided to have an opinion on that.
I suggest you pick up the history of BD board and give your opinion on, there indecisiveness. If security was the concern, they should have never agreed on the first place.
It is my friend called the politics of cricket, and you would understand it better if you follow it more closely.
Hey pls somebody hire this ‘observer’ as PCB chief…………..lol…..
I don’t blame BCB on this decision. Even Pakistanis living abroad do not feel safe to visit Pakistan these days because of the security situation there. Pakistan should improve their security situation first before asking foreign cricket teams to visit Pakistan. Their own citizens, policemen, security personnel and everybody else in Pakistan are not safe then how can they guarantee to keep the foreign teams safe in Pakistan? Get your house in order first and then invite foreign teams. And please do not stop Pakistani players to play in the Bangladeshi league. It is our players’ bread and butter. They are already not allowed to play in India. Please do not take this opportunity from them.
{lay the series in UAE…same …enough TV Broadcasting income.
I think Pakistan should make India their home country rather Abu Dhabi or UAE which cost more to PCB. During recent Paki tour to India they are getting more support and Indian are more sympathetic towards Pakistan. Paki players will get more support against any foreign team. Even Pakistan people can come to India and see their players playing against foreign teams. PCB should think seriously about it and it is also cost effective.
appreciate the thought but no sympathies required.
That is the most hilarious suggestion in a while. India as ‘home’ country for Pakistan games.
It is definitely a hilarious suggestion but a good one. I don’t think Pakistan would agree to it in a hurry, but they should seriously think about it. However, the suggestion has to come from India as hosts, as Pakistan would be embarrassed to ask, in case the request is spurned. Egos and pride etc…
and i hope only genuine pakistani cricket lovers come. not the terrorists…..
I doubt if indian government risks it.
Why don’t PCB try neighboring China. Build few stadiums there and host cricket matches. China is pakistan’s “all weather” friends. so new issues for pakistani fans to go there. Pakistani players can permanently settle there.
PCB, Start searching place for HQ.
Maybe not so hilarious. If sustained peace and commerce measures of the past 4 months and non-interference by the establishment continues, we may see such a day yet.
But it will take a single attack somewhere in India to end all this new-found bonhomie.
Very good idea….but better if we wait till the final result of the series and see how much support Pakistan get if they won the second ODI.
Their decision is correct. Pakistan`s law and order situation is horribly bad, the militants can attack at any time anywhere.They cannot take chances specially after the Sri Lankan fiasco.
Where there is no security of life in the mosque,and then how the players are safe in the field ?
Forget about Bangladesh…..If we have guts! , otherwise bow your head and accept this bitter truth that we are the biggest loosers. We haven’t achieved much since independence but only loosing, and now also have lost our favourite sports. How can we blame anyone else, actually all of our leaders, whether Army or civilians are the culprits, their vision, their mindset and their decisions.