'No complaint' - BCB chief satisfied with Pakistan's security arrangements

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) was having a tough time sending its team to Pakistan for a full-fledged series. However, just like its Sri Lankan counterpart did in the recent past, the BCB eventually expressed satisfaction over the security arrangements provided by the local authorities. BCB President Nazmul Hasan said this after the two sides played in a three-match T20I series in Lahore that the hosts won 2-0. The third game was abandoned on Monday because of rain.

Talking to the media in Dhaka on Wednesday, Hasan confirmed that they will send the team to Pakistan to take part in the first Test match scheduled in Rawalpindi between February 7 and 11. Bangladesh were earlier reluctant to send a team for the Test matches (two-match series) in Pakistan.

They also wanted to have the long-format games in neutral venues to which Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) disagreed. The idea of having a Test each in Pakistan and Bangladesh was also rejected. Bangladesh are set to return to Pakistan for the second Test and the lone ODI between April 3 and 9.

‘We were not convinced about the security situation in Pakistan earlier’: BCB chief

“We were not convinced about the security situation in Pakistan earlier. So, we had told that we will decide about the Test series after seeing the situation during the T20 series,” Nazmul was quoted as saying by Cricket Pakistan.

“It’s really impossible to offer more security than what they provided us. We are satisfied with the security in Pakistan. There is no complaint from any player or coaching staff. There is no reason to skip the Test series. We are going to play Test in Pakistan.”

Hasan rued the fact that senior batsman Mushfiqur Rahim will not be available for the Rawalpindi Test as the player refused to go to Pakistan citing security issues. Recently, Tamim Iqbal pulled out of the India tour while ace all-rounder Shakib al Hasan has been handed a ban.

“We didn’t have Shakib in India. Tamim had also opted out. Now we don’t have Mushfiqur who is our number one batsman in Test cricket,” the BCB chief said. “We have to try a new batsman at number four. But Musfhiqur will return against Zimbabwe. It means we have to try a new one just in two Tests. It’s really tough to come up with a good combination if a player suddenly calls to stay out of a series. We have to talk with the players and bring out a solution of it.”

Hasan also expressed disappointment of his country’s 0-2 loss in the T20I series saying it was difficult to believe that the Tigers could produce such uninspiring show. The Mahmudullah-led lost the two games by 5 and 9 wickets, respectively.

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