PCB to assess security in Bangladesh before green lighting participation in Asia Cup

Board to send official to assess security situation at ICC meeting on Jan 20.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reiterated concerns over safety of players in Bangladesh that is scheduled to host the Asia Cup and the ICC World Twenty20 later this year.

On Tuesday, the PCB shared a letter that it sent to the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) to clarify its position regarding team’s participation at the Asia Cup.

The PCB’s Interim Management Committee Chairman Najam Sethi wrote:

“After the ACC meeting, I saw a lot of media statements from various quarters, especially the ACC Chief Executive [Ashraful Haq], which tend to suggest that PCB, along with other participating countries, does not have any reservations regarding Pakistan team’s participation in the Asia Cup in Bangladesh.

“This is obviously contrary to the position conveyed by our Chief Operating Officer Subhan Ahmad at the ACC meeting.”

Security official to attend ICC meeting

Sethi further wrote that the PCB will send its security official at the ICC meeting later this month to review security situation and arrangements in Bangladesh.

“The PCB does have reservations on the prevailing security situation in Bangladesh with specific reference to Pakistan.

“Indeed, that is why PCB has decided to send its security representative to Bangladesh to attend the ICC security meeting on January 20 to assess the situation there and report back.

“The PCB’s position regarding Pakistan team’s participation in Asia Cup 2014 in Bangladesh is that we are naturally keen to participate but will continue to assess the conditions, liaise with our government and follow its advice with regard to the security situation, and our participation would be dependent upon the reports that we receive in this regard.”

It may be mentioned that Haq in an interview following the ACC meeting on Saturday said that no member board did raise any security concerns.