Bangladesh squad returns to Pakistan for first Test

Published February 5, 2020
Bangladesh was originally scheduled to play three Twenty20 Internationals and two Test matches, but agreed to split the tour into three phases because it did not want to stay in Pakistan for a longer duration due to security concerns. — Photo courtesy Pakistan Cricket Board Twitter
Bangladesh was originally scheduled to play three Twenty20 Internationals and two Test matches, but agreed to split the tour into three phases because it did not want to stay in Pakistan for a longer duration due to security concerns. — Photo courtesy Pakistan Cricket Board Twitter

The Bangladesh cricket squad has returned to Pakistan for the second leg of the bilateral series, which includes its first Test match in the country since 2003.

Bangladesh was originally scheduled to play three Twenty20 Internationals and two Test matches, but agreed to split the tour into three phases because it did not want to stay in Pakistan for a longer duration due to security concerns.

Pakistan won the T20 series 2-0 last month at Lahore, with the third game abandoned because of rain.

Bangladesh lost 3-0 to Pakistan in its last test series in 2003, which included the home teams nail biting one-wicket victory at Multan.

Leading Bangladesh player Mushfiqur Rahim, who didn't travel to Pakistan for last month's Twenty20 series, has also opted out of the Test match at Rawalpindi.

A three-member security delegation from Bangladesh, led by retired major Hussain Imam, met with security officials from the government and the Pakistan Cricket Board at the Pindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

The first Test, which is part of the World Test Championship, starts on Friday. Bangladesh will depart next Wednesday and return to Pakistan in April for one one-day international and the second Test match at Karachi.

Bangladesh is the second Test country to tour Pakistan since the resumption of international cricket.

In December, Sri Lanka toured the country for 16 days and played Test matches at Rawalpindi and Karachi.

It was the first Test series in Pakistan in more than a decade after an attack on the Sri Lanka cricket team bus at Lahore killed eight people killed and injured several players

Opinion

Editorial

Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...
Islamabad protest
Updated 20 Nov, 2024

Islamabad protest

As Nov 24 draws nearer, both the PTI and the Islamabad administration must remain wary and keep within the limits of reason and the law.
PIA uncertainty
20 Nov, 2024

PIA uncertainty

THE failed attempt to privatise the national flag carrier late last month has led to a fierce debate around the...
T20 disappointment
20 Nov, 2024

T20 disappointment

AFTER experiencing the historic high of the One-day International series triumph against Australia, Pakistan came...