Recent events in Bangladesh have strained relations with Pakistan with issues being raised over security. PHOTO: ESPNCRICINFO
KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is not jumping to conclusions regarding the country’s participation in next year’s Asia Cup and the ICC World Twenty20 scheduled to be held in Bangladesh.
Questions were raised over whether the PCB still plans to send a squad to Bangladesh or if they will demand from the ICC to shift the upcoming major tournaments.
Relations between Dhaka and Islamabad were strained after the National Assembly passed a resolution earlier this week against the hanging of a Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh leader over war crimes in 1971.
The resolution fueled anti-Pakistan sentiments and triggered strong protests in Bangladesh, where the Asia Cup (February 24 to March 7) and the ICC World Twenty20 (March 16 to April 6) will be hosted. As a consequence, security concerns for the Pakistan team have been raised.
However, a PCB official told The Express Tribune that the board has not received any instruction from the government regarding the country’s participation.
“It’s a concern, but it will be too early to jump to conclusions,” said the official.
“Since it’s not a bilateral series and the tournaments will be staged under the auspices of Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and the International Cricket Council (ICC), we will rely on the two governing bodies to suggest a protocol.”
‘Matter not part of Sethi’s UAE agenda’
Asked if Najam Sethi, the PCB’s Interim Management Committee (IMC) chairman, who is currently in the UAE, had any plans to visit the ICC’s headquarters in Dubai on the matter, the answer was a no: “It’s not in the chairman’s agenda.”
Another official close to the board’s international department said the PCB may raise the issue during the ACC and ICC meetings if the volatile situation in Bangladesh persists.
“The ACC may meet on the sidelines of the U19 Asia Cup this month [in the UAE] where the issue may come under discussion. Similarly, it can also be raised during the ICC’s meeting in January.”
It should be mentioned that the West Indies Cricket Board withdrew its U19 team from Bangladesh this month after a bomb blast went off close to the hotel in Chittagong where the players were staying.
However, the PCB gave a cautious response and Sethi avoided giving a statement when asked about his assessment on the security situation there.
The PCB and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) are not enjoying cordial relations since the latter twice withdrew from their commitment of sending a team to Pakistan – both times citing security concerns as a reason for the withdrawal.
Meanwhile, a senior BCB official hoped the situation would return to normal after the general elections in Bangladesh take place in January.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 19th, 2013.
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Source: Tribune