A file photo of Imran Nazir from the first season of BPL. PHOTO: BPLT20/FILE
DHAKA: Bangladesh cricket chiefs said Wednesday that Pakistan had refused to release any of its players for the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) which begins this week after a planned bilateral series had to be scrapped.
Pakistan had been due to host Bangladesh for a Twenty20 game and a 50-over match in Lahore this month in what would have been its first home internationals since a deadly attack on the Sri Lankan team bus nearly four years ago.
But the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) cancelled the tour, saying Pakistan was not safe for its players.
According to a BCB spokesperson, Pakistan has now responded by preventing any of its stars from competing in the BPL which begins Thursday.
"The chief executive officer of PCB called our CEO today and informed him that they won't allow their players to play in the BPL until we send our team to their country," spokesman Jalal Yunus told AFP.
"We've now decided to host the event without Pakistani players," he said, adding the BPL's seven franchises would now find replacements for the 26 Pakistani players they bought in the auction last month.
The move represents a major blow for the second edition of the BPL since Pakistani cricketers have a big following in Bangladesh.
More than 50 Pakistani players took part in the auction for the second edition of BPL, with opening batsman Imran Nazir fetching $280,000.
Last year more than 20 Pakistani players took part in the inaugural edition, with all-rounder Shahid Afridi sold for the highest fee of $700,000.
BCB spokesman Yunus said Bangladesh has not ruled out touring Pakistan in the coming months but wanted to reassess the security situation before sending a team.
Bangladesh was also due to tour Pakistan last April, but the tour was blocked by the Dhaka High Court on security grounds.
PCB statement
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) spokesperson Nadeem Sarwar on Wednesday said that the BCB should not have directly approached Pakistani players for the BPL, but they should have done it through the PCB.
COMMENTS (36)
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I strongly believe PCB has all the rights to take any decision that they deem fit. Bangladesh's decision to cancel the the Pakistan tour was unwise and immature. Bangladesh team could have immensely benefited if they would have decided to go and play in Pakistan. BPL will be a FLOP this season and real cricket fans in Bangladesh will be disappointed.
Thanks to all the Pakistani commentators here for keeping the discussion within the realm of civility.I wish all the best for the Pakistani cricketers who always almost never fail to put up exciting cricket. Being a Bangla-American, I am watching the drama unfolding from USA.
Blame the mullahs and terrorists not the bengals
@ Bhindian Balram.. Thank you for the offer but i have a fair complexion and as a girl i wud fear my safety considering recent incidents in India. i live in dubai amongst my Indian friends who strongly believe.. Ipl has taken away the motivation from your Indian players when they play for your country. You guys have won squat away from home.. even during your peak which was a year back. Now you guys are getting white washed at home!. whitewash in Australia.. in england then again at home against england.. and then thrashed at the hands of your neighbors. @ syed agreed teams go through cycle. Sachin retiring does mean team goes in cylce. One player. Fact is Indian team is overhyped and finally exposed by Good bowling.
@Fools:
National team performance(s) for every country is mostly a cyclical thing and it comes and goes. Besides national team performance is not the every thing. Main thing is the promotion of sport as healthy activity and contributes to the local economy, none of that is happening in Pakistan unfortunately. National team performance and international acolades are just bonus the joy or anguish of which are only momentary.
Vikas is right in saying that Pakistan should learn from what his country(assuming his is from India) board has done to Pakistan, and focus on their own internal growth and strength.
@Fools: ahahahahahha dude, seriously? you know, if you lived in mumbai, i would have gave u address of KEM memorial hospital, where psychology patients get treatment for 10rs.
@ vikas not playing in these commercial leagues has actually helped pakistan.. Look at India how rubbish they have become,, we are a top tier world beating side.. India along with Bangladesh are currently minnows.. So get real!,
@Vikas Your prejudice & hatred knows no bounds. I hope you sleep well at night.
@GrimmJow: i meant the way BCCI doesn't let indian players play for BPL.
PCB is inflicting wounds on itself. And more over, it can show these attitudes to only Bangladesh. Pakistan should not forget how BCCI made them run from pillar to post.
@Bangali: It's not about Sky Falling - Its about Principle Stand of allowing yourself some respect that Pakistan deserve - Thank you but No Thank You! Pakistan is better off not playing for BPL.
@Bangali: yes, but BTL will fall without the pakistani players
now see how BPL will turn out to be a flop show this season lol. you are welcome Banladesh borad & PM ;)
great decision by PCB, atlast they shows some guts.
Dear FP
Australia and England never promised to visit Pakistan in return of favours of PCB. Its only BCB who have reaped benefits of all the favours of PCB and then turning out their promise.
@FP: listen, bangladesh board promise us that if pak would help them in getting vice presidentship of ICC, then they will send their team, austrailia and england didn't took part in any deal.
@BENGALI.. sky may not fall.. but the BPL will fail miserably as indians wont be taking part anyways.. Pakistan players made the league exciting. apart for tamim and shakib, the rest are school boys quality
@Bangali: good for you.
A dual national mullah has made us hostage in our own capital. No team is coming to Pakistan and our players have lost millions of dollars and yet we are blaming others.
Well done PCB......no need to bow down to this thankless nation (BCB)
@Bangali: I totally agree with you my brother! No one is saying that the sky is going to fall, we are just happy that the right decision was made. BCB (Bangladeshi-Indian Cricket Board) only understands the language that they themselves speak in, if that Language is one of boycott then be it. The sky didn't fall when your team refused to tour Pakistan after commiting, we are still winning series and proud of our cricket team.
@ss - Good decision by Zaka Ashraf, they only understand Indians’ language
What did Indians do to you or your team. In fact, Indians were kind enough to agree to Zaka's request for an India tour of Pakistani cricketers.
Regarding IPL - Although, I would like to see Pakistani cricketers get involved although not sure given the current LOC situation, but even without them IPL is running just fine.
Sky is not going to fall.
@Sami ur Rehman: If PCB refuses to sent players due to preparation of PAKISTAN SUPER LEAGUE or South Africa tour, I would appreciate their decision. But refusing players for revenge purpose is not a vital decision
FP: but Australia and England have not promised to come to Pakistan in the first hand. Bangladesh promised to tour Pakistan and took favor from Pakistan for the ICC elections. First time I am feeling good about PCB, bravo!
Right decission.Pakistan comes first
Well done PCB! You done a very good job.Now BCB is in trouble because pak players are not playing BPL.Now PCB need to concentrate on PSL preparations.We all are waiting for this excited PAKISTAN SUPER LEAGUE and we hope that it will be successful event.
As a Pakistani I think its a harsh decision by PCB. I am sure that they will nevery bar players from partcipating Big Bash League or English County if Australia or England refuse to tour Pakistan.
Right decission not to send pakistani players to Bangladesh. Pakistan Comes first.
Ghulam Abbas
GOOD MOVE BY PCB.
Right decision.
Finally, the PCB showing some spine...
Good decision by Zaka Ashraf, they only understand indians' language..
good decision by PCB, as most of our players are well off and country comes first... BRAVE move by ZAKA!