The Bangladesh Cricket Board on Saturday confirmed the national team鈥檚 forthcoming T20I series against the United Arab Emirates but said discussions are ongoing with the Pakistan Cricket Board regarding their tour to Pakistan.
Bangladesh鈥檚 five-match T20I tour to Pakistan that is scheduled to begin on May 25 has come under uncertainty amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan.
The situation has also cast doubt over Bangladesh鈥檚 August home series against India and the Asia Cup in September to be held in India.
In a statement, the BCB said it remained committed to the international engagements but made it clear that the safety of players and support staff would be their top priority.
鈥楾he Bangladesh Cricket Board is in active and ongoing discussions with the Pakistan Cricket Board regarding the Bangladesh National Team鈥檚 forthcoming tour of Pakistan,鈥� said the statement.
鈥楾he BCB wishes to reiterate that the safety and security of its players and support staff remain the Board鈥檚 highest priority.鈥�
No final decision has been made on the Pakistan tour, as the BCB will review the security situation before making any commitments.
鈥楢ll decisions concerning the tour will be made with careful consideration of the current situation in Pakistan, ensuring they align with the best interests of the team and Bangladesh cricket,鈥� added the media release.
The two matches against UAE are scheduled to be held at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on May 17 and 19.
鈥楢s part of its continued commitment to international engagement and preparation, the Bangladesh National Team will tour the United Arab Emirates for a two-match T20 International series against the host nation as scheduled. The series is set to commence next week,鈥� said BCB.
In addition to the BCB, the interim government鈥檚 sports adviser, Asif Mahmud, has expressed discouragement regarding the plan to visit Pakistan under the current circumstances.
鈥楢s far as I know, the BCB meeting is going on. The BCB will inform about this. However, in the current situation, it would not be right to take any risk. The Pakistan embassy has also informed us about the security risk. The BCB will inform about the final decision,鈥� said Asif during the inauguration of the 鈥楤angladesh in Search of the Best Swimmer-2025鈥� programme at the National Swimming Complex in Mirpur.
Meanwhile, the suspension of the Indian Premier League for a week has made it unlikely that India will tour Bangladesh in August or participate in the Asia Cup.
According to a report by the Times of India, the Board of Control for Cricket in India could use that window to complete the remainder of the IPL if the need arises.
Even if the IPL concludes before the scheduled India tour of Bangladesh and the Asia Cup, it remains completely off the table.
The ongoing edition of the Pakistan Super League was also postponed due to the conflict between the neighbouring nations.
The PSL-bound players, including two Bangladeshi players, Rishad Hossain and Nahid Rana, returned home on Saturday.
