THE Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reacted with dismay after Bangladesh’s proposed two-match tour was reportedly postponed. Bangladesh were to be the first touring international team to play in Pakistan since the disruption and abandonment of the 2009 Test against Sri Lanka in Lahore following a terrorist attack on the visitors’ and match officials’ transport.
The trip was to comprise just two limited-overs matches in Lahore, but was greeted in Pakistan as the much-needed resumption of international cricket in their country.
It must now, however, rate very doubtful the tour will go ahead in any form, with advice received by the International Cricket Council continuing to raise major security concerns for all visitors to Pakistan.
A statement was published on the PCB’s website yesterday following reports that a court order in Dhaka had resulted in the decision to delay the tour.
“Pakistan Cricket Board notes with extreme concern that the Dhaka High Court has today issued an injunctive order against the forthcoming Pakistan tour of the Bangladesh cricket team,” it read, going on to voice doubts about the motivation of those behind the legal action.
“It is astonishing to note that a matter lacking any legal issue has been dragged in the court by petitioners, who appear to have vested interest and want to jeopardise the Pakistan-Bangladesh cricketing relations.
“The matter before the court prima facie does not contain any legal issue, and it is extremely disturbing to note for the Pakistan Cricket Board and the Pakistan cricket fans and the world cricketing nations that such an adverse order has been passed to block a bilateral cricket series.
“PCB has been extremely disappointed due to the creation of this new situation.”
Pakistan have played all ‘home’ series since 2009 on neutral territory, most often in the United Arab Emirates, where they inflicted a 3-0 Test defeat on England at the start of this year.