PCB rejects BCB’s security apprehensions
Players unlikely to participate in Bangladesh league, says PCB official.
KARACHI:
The Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) decision to cancel their tour of Pakistan left the country’s cricket board fuming, which, in its initial response, is highly likely to stop its players from participating in the Bangladesh league event this month, according to a board official.
The announcement was a blow for the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) efforts of ending the drought of international cricket since the 2009 attack on Sri Lanka team. The board was already in talks with sponsors, who had showed interest after a tender notice was issued on the PCB website.
“We made commitment but still there are security concerns,” said the BCB President Nazmul Hasan. “We have noticed the security situation in Pakistan has not improved significantly, rather deteriorated. In this circumstance, we think it will not be very wise to tour.”
The tour cancellation left the senior PCB officials disappointed, according to a board official.
“Definitely, it’s very disappointing,” the official told The Express Tribune. “To send their team or not is their call but the excuse they’ve [BCB] given is not acceptable.
“There are no such security threats. The PCB successfully hosted the World XI matches, consisting over a dozen foreign cricketers, who played in Karachi. The British Army team also visited Pakistan and their tour went safely.”
The official added that the PCB will reconsider its relations with the neighbouring board.
“Right now most of the officials are travelling and busy due to the ongoing India tour. The relations with the BCB will be discussed after the series.”
The official further stated that the board was unlikely to give permission to its players for the second edition of Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) that will begin later this year.
“It’s on the cards but a final decision on it will be taken later.”
The recent auction of the second edition was dominated by Pakistan players with Imran Nazir getting the top price among foreign cricketers. (With additional input from AFP)
Published in The Express Tribune, January 1st, 2013.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) decision to cancel their tour of Pakistan left the country’s cricket board fuming, which, in its initial response, is highly likely to stop its players from participating in the Bangladesh league event this month, according to a board official.
The announcement was a blow for the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) efforts of ending the drought of international cricket since the 2009 attack on Sri Lanka team. The board was already in talks with sponsors, who had showed interest after a tender notice was issued on the PCB website.
“We made commitment but still there are security concerns,” said the BCB President Nazmul Hasan. “We have noticed the security situation in Pakistan has not improved significantly, rather deteriorated. In this circumstance, we think it will not be very wise to tour.”
The tour cancellation left the senior PCB officials disappointed, according to a board official.
“Definitely, it’s very disappointing,” the official told The Express Tribune. “To send their team or not is their call but the excuse they’ve [BCB] given is not acceptable.
“There are no such security threats. The PCB successfully hosted the World XI matches, consisting over a dozen foreign cricketers, who played in Karachi. The British Army team also visited Pakistan and their tour went safely.”
The official added that the PCB will reconsider its relations with the neighbouring board.
“Right now most of the officials are travelling and busy due to the ongoing India tour. The relations with the BCB will be discussed after the series.”
The official further stated that the board was unlikely to give permission to its players for the second edition of Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) that will begin later this year.
“It’s on the cards but a final decision on it will be taken later.”
The recent auction of the second edition was dominated by Pakistan players with Imran Nazir getting the top price among foreign cricketers. (With additional input from AFP)
Published in The Express Tribune, January 1st, 2013.