Bangladesh's cricket tour of Pakistan in limbo; no clarity on India's tour of Bangladesh

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has denied reports that India has cancelled its tour of the country. The board is also adopting a wait-and-watch approach before making a decision on the upcoming tour of Pakistan. read more

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is keeping a close eye on the developments as the rising tensions between India and Pakistan threaten its upcoming cricket fixtures against the two countries. While the Bangladesh cricket team is scheduled to be in Pakistan for a five-match T20I series at the end of May, India are to travel to Bangladesh in August for three ODIs and three T20Is.

However, the upcoming cricket assignments have been thrown into a state of limbo after India launched Operation Sindoor on Wednesday and destroyed multiple terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

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The Bangladesh cricket team is scheduled to play two T20Is against UAE in Sharjah on 17 and 19 May before travelling to Pakistan for the series that starts on 25 May and will be played across Faisalabad and Lahore.

Bangladesh tour of Pakistan in limbo

Their travel to Pakistan will now depend on how things develop in the coming few days. A number of flights coming from Europe rerouted or cancelled as they tried to avoid Pakistan’s airspace.

BCB president Faruq Ahmed on Wednesday said that they will wait until 10 May before taking a final call on the tour of Bangladesh. A BCB source also shared the same sentiments with the Daily Star.

“It happened yesterday and we have not discussed anything related to these developments. We have not been informed that matches will not be taking place,” a BCB official told the Daily Star in Bangladesh.

“Of course many things may be suspended or face changes as this does not only affect cricket,” the official added.

No clarity on India’s tour of Bangladesh

Indian cricket team’s travel to Bangladesh may not be directly related to the India-Pakistan conflict, but the recent comments by a former Bangladesh military officer have raised doubts over the August tour. The Maj Gen (retired) ALM Fazlur Rahman recently said on Facebook that Bangladesh should “occupy the seven states of North-East India” if India attacks Bangladesh. Since then, a report in the Times of India has stated that the BCCI may decide to boycott the Bangladesh tour.

The BCB, however, said on Wednesday said India has made no communication about the tour being scrapped or suspended.

A BCB official told Daily Star that all cricket boards are obligated to honour their FTP commitment and they expect India to complete the tour.

“We have understanding with the cricket boards according to FTP commitments. It is still a political matter and if a concern comes, it will be addressed,” a Bangladesh board official said.

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