PCB postpones one-off ODI and Test against Bangladesh; Pakistan Cup also rescheduled

The WHO-approved pandemic that is the novel Coronavirus COVID-19, has proceeded to put the entire world on a standstill. More than 5,000 people and counting have already succumbed to the deadly virus, and with situation steadily escalating, countries are putting themselves in self-isolation to avoid the proliferation of the pandemic.

Most of the sporting events around the world including the Premier League, NBA have been postponed. On the cricketing front, almost every series- Road Safety World Series, Asia XI vs World XI T20Is, ODI rubbers involving Australia-New Zealand & India-South Africa, England Test tour of Sri Lanka- have been postponed till the unforeseeable future.

And, the latest to join the list is the second leg of Bangladesh tour of Pakistan and Pakistan 50-over domestic tournament, both of whom have now been called-off by the Pakistan Cricket Board in the wake of the escalating situation.

Bangladesh were set to arrive in Karachi on March 29th to play a one-off One-day International on April 01 before locking horns in the second Test of the two-match series between April 05-09.

“With all the news of sporting events being cancelled or postponed, the PCB and BCB have decided to postpone the BD tour, the Pakistan One Day Cup is also being scheduled to a later date” Zainab Abbas tweeted.

Both PCB and BCB will try to schedule the rubber in the future

Earlier BCB president Nazmul Hassan had revealed that the families of cricketers are not willing to send their sons to play cricket in the wake of the rising threat of COVID-19, admitting that it will be tough for Bangladesh to tour Pakistan now.

“Families of our cricketers are concerned about coronavirus. They’re not willing to send their sons to play cricket amid this fear. So, I think it is tough for us to tour Pakistan now” BCB chief had said.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) were to take a decision on whether the series should go ahead or not in three days time and on Monday, it was confirmed that the rubber will be re-scheduled at the appropriate time in the future.

Bangladesh’s first leg of Pakistan tour consisted of three T20Is and a one-off Test, and the Asian Tigers were shellacked in each of those fixtures by a comprehensive margin.