PCB proposes Bangladesh team's safe travel to Pakistan for test series amidst turmoil

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has shown interest in flying out the Bangladesh team for an upcoming two-match Test series. This is due to the severe political unrest currently gripping the sub-continent. Bangladesh is battling serious crisis after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s departure. The situation has escalated, with the home of prominent sporting figure like Mashrafe Mortaza burned down amidst the turmoil.

Despite the ongoing turmoil, there are uncertainties surrounding whether the scheduled series will proceed as planned or be canceled. According to a PTI report, the PCB has proposed an offer to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to ensure the safe travel of players to Pakistan for the series.

The offer also includes provisions for the players to remain in Pakistan for some time after the tour, until the situation in their home country stabilizes.

The BCB has not yet responded to PCB’s offer. The cricketing governing body is facing challenges, as BCB President Najmul Hossain Papon is leaving the country.

“PCB has offered to host the players in Rawalpindi and furnish them with comprehensive training facilities in preparation for the upcoming Test matches. However, we have not received a response,” a PCB source revealed.

The Bangladesh A team’s tour to Pakistan has also been delayed, as the team has not yet departed Bangladesh due to the airport shutdown. It seems possible that the matches will be postponed until the situation clears up.

The two-match Test series between Pakistan and Bangladesh is part of the ongoing 2023-25 World Test Championship cycle. The first match is scheduled to start on August 21 in Rawalpindi, pending Bangladesh’s ability to travel to Pakistan without any complications.

The second and final Test is scheduled to take place in Karachi from August 30. Bangladesh’s last tour of Pakistan in 2020 was an all-format affair, but it was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to the cancellation of the second half.

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