Pakistan Cricket Board has planned to host the matches between the Pakistan women and their Bangladesh counterparts in Karachi. But the Bangladesh Cricket Board has notified the PCB of their interest to play only in Lahore due to security concerns.
The Bangladesh women cricketers will play three ODIs and as many Twenty20 internationals against the hosts during their 12-day tour of cricket-abandoned Pakistan. The touring side are expected to leave here on August 31 this year but then again a final call will only be made following the submission of the report by the BCB’s security delegation. If there are further delays, Pakistan’s bilateral home series might be pushed back to this October.
According to the BCB high-ups, Bangladesh are only interested in playing in Lahore because of safety concerns. The BCB believes Lahore is much safer as a cricket venue compared to Karachi. It was learned that the BCB had also thought of sending the men’s team to Lahore two years ago but the series did not materialise later.
In the meantime, the Bangladesh cricketers, who are currently undergoing a preliminary camp at Mirpur’s Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, are anxious over the tour of Pakistan. Bangladesh captain and all-rounder Salma Khatun has been expressing her concerns right from the opening day of the Pakistan training camp.
Ever since the disastrous terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in 2009, the PCB has made a lot of effort to bring back the gentleman’s game to the country. And they somewhat succeeded as Zimbabwe toured Pakistan three months ago, the first touring side to make such a visit in nearly six years.
The Bangladesh women cricketers need not worry as the series will only go ahead after the BCB’s security team gives the green signal.