Uncertainty Over Bangladesh Cricket Team's Pakistan Tour Due To Political Turmoil

Political unrest in Bangladesh has cast doubt on the cricket team's tour of Pakistan for a two-match T20I series. In a surprising turn, Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina flew to India and resigned amid violent protests.

Images of mobs storming PM Sheikh Hasina's residence and looting emerged. Additionally, the statue of her father, former president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, was destroyed. Reports also indicated attacks on Hindu minorities and the burning of temples.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has delayed their A team's tour of Pakistan by two days. The team is set to play two four-day matches and three one-day matches against Pakistan A.

"The Bangladesh A Team's departure for Pakistan has been delayed by at least 48 hours due to unavailable circumstances," BCB stated on Tuesday.

"The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is in constant communication with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) regarding the A Team's tour," it added.

Bangladesh's senior men's team is scheduled to play two Tests in Rawalpindi (August 21-25) and Karachi (Aug 30-Sep 3). However, the current civil unrest makes it challenging for the national team to travel for the series.

The senior men's team's two-Test away series against Pakistan starting August 21 in Rawalpindi also appears uncertain due to ongoing civil unrest. Reports indicate that homes of some senior players have been attacked by mobs, worsening the crisis.

A PCB source revealed that they had offered to fly out the Bangladesh Test side to Rawalpindi early to ensure the series proceeds. "The PCB has even offered to host their players for extra days and provide them with all training facilities in Rawalpindi ahead of the Test matches but they have not responded as yet," he said.

The A team's first four-day game is scheduled from August 11. Bangladesh last toured Pakistan in 2019-20. The PCB source mentioned that maintaining communication with BCB was challenging under current circumstances.

"With the BCB president (Najmul Hosain Papon) also leaving the country, apparently the board is not functioning normally," he said. Bangladesh's tour of India is scheduled from September 19, where they will play 2 Tests and 3 T20Is over three and a half weeks.

(With PTI Inputs)