The one-off ODI between Bangladesh and host Pakistan to be played in Karachi in April this year has been rescheduled.
The Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed the change following request from Bangladesh Cricket Board.
The BCB made the appeal in order for the team to have more time to prepare for the second and final Test match of the series, which is scheduled to be played after the lone ODI.
Bangladesh as per initial schedule were to play the ODI on April 3.
The schedule for the Test, which is part of the World Test Championship, however, remained unchanged as the five-dayer will begin on April 5.
The change of schedule will now see Bangladesh travel to Pakistan for the last leg of the three part series on March 29, have two days of practice sessions before the ODI, to be played on April 1.
This will be followed by three days of practice sessions with the Test going ahead as per original schedule.
All the matches will be played in Karachi.
@BCBtigers will think before sending national team to tour @TheRealPCB in April given the rise of concern with coronavirus in the country.https://t.co/K2XvjU9HgE#BCBTIGERS #BCB #TIGERS #BANGLADESHCRICKET #BANGLADESH #CRICKET #PAKISTAN #PAKISTANCRICKET #PCB #BANGLADESHTEAM
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) March 4, 2020
Bangladesh’s decision for a reschedule was driven from the fact that the side did not get enough time to prepare ahead of matches in the first two parts of the tour in January and February.
Bangladesh in the first phase played a three-match T20I series and a Test in the second, conceding defeats in all the games.
The decision however, has come amid the rising concern of the spread of coronavirus in Pakistan.
BCB director and media committee chairman Jalal Younus Tuesday had stated that the BCB will communicate with PCB in order to learn more about the situation and avoid the scheduled tour in case there is a threat.
“The PCB is always happy to facilitate wherever it can and will be delighted to host the Bangladesh team for additional days in Karachi. There is already a lot of excitement and buzz about the upcoming international matches and the PCB expects that the quality of cricket will live upto the expectations of the fans and followers,” said PCB director of international cricket Zakir Khan in a press release Wednesday.
Pakistan won the first Test in Rawalpindi by an innings and 44 runs.
Pakistan are presently sitting fifth on the points table with 140 points from five Tests.
A win in Karachi will help Pakistan leapfrog New Zealand (180 points in seven Tests) and England (146 points in nine Tests) into third place.
Revised schedule
March 29 – Bangladesh team’s arrival in Karachi
March 30-31– Practice
April 1 – Only One-Day International, National Stadium
April 2-4 – Practice
April 5-9 – 2nd ICC World Test Championship Test, National Stadium
