PCB reschedules Pakistan’s one-off ODI against Bangladesh in April

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has rescheduled Pakistan’s one-off ODI against Bangladesh. Earlier, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) requested the PCB for the same to allow their cricketers more preparation time for the second Test, scheduled to take place from April 5 at the National Stadium in Karachi. It’s the Tigers third match in the ICC World Test Championship.

Previously, the ODI was scheduled for April 5, but now the match will take place on April 1 in Karachi. The Bangladesh team will be arriving in Karachi on March 29. In the ICC rankings, Pakistan are placed sixth with the Tigers at seven, 12 points shy of their opponent.

“The PCB is always happy to facilitate wherever it can and will be delighted to host the Bangladesh men’s national team for additional days in Karachi. There is already a lot of excitement and buzz about the upcoming international matches and the PCB expects the quality of cricket will live up to the expectations of the fans and followers,” Zakir Khan, the PCB director, told Cricket Pakistan.

Bangladesh’s last leg of Pakistan tour

Prior to the start of the tour, there were a number of controversies. The Bangladesh players were apprehensive about travelling to Pakistan despite security clearance. In the end, it was decided that the tour will take place in three legs. To start with, Pakistan beat Bangladesh 2-0 in the T20I series. The last game at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore was abandoned due to rain.

The Tigers’ didn’t have Mushfiqur Rahim, who backed out citing security concerns, in their ranks. Rahim didn’t play the opening Test in Rawalpindi as well. Bangladesh lost the match by an innings and 44 runs. It was also their third consecutive losses in the World Cup Championship. Back in November, they lost a couple of Tests to India, including their maiden day-night affair.

In the championship, Pakistan have 140 points from five matches. In the last leg, Bangladesh will play the one-off ODI and the second Test. In the meantime, Mushfiqur has hold his ground of not going to Pakistan despite requests from the BCB, led by Nazmul Hasan Papon.