Analysis: To play or not to play

Not too long ago, Bangladesh was considered a major ally of Pakistan, the cricket board provided all out support for induction of the Asian country among cricket’s elite Test playing nations.

Pakistan, a pivotal member of the then mighty ‘Asian bloc’, pushed hard for its induction in the Test fraternity after Bangladesh’s 1999 World Cup performance.

Things were smooth between the two cricket boards for most part of the decade leading up to 2012 when the Asia Cup was staged in Dhaka.

The host nation defied expectations reaching the final where they squared up against Pakistan, the pulsating final went down to the last ball with Misbahul Haq’s men annexing the trophy much to the disappointment of a packed stadium.

The chief guest, Prime Minister Hasina Wajed, left abruptly at the end of the match, without handing out the trophy.

Perhaps her move was an  indication of the things to come, immediately after the tournament a hasty Pakistan Cricket Board announced Bangladesh’s tour to Lahore for a Twenty20 and One Day International with apparent consent of the Bangladesh Cricket Board, the short tour was arranged after the PCB withdrew its candidate paving way for Mustafa Kamal’s subsequent election as ICC Vice-President.

Days before the tour, a petition filed on security concerns in the Dhaka High Court resulted in an indefinite postponement.

A seething PCB was left high and dry, all efforts went in vain with many of the Board officials feeling betrayed in the wake of their unflinching support for the cricketing minnows in the years gone by.

Fast forward to 2014, Bangladesh is set to hold two premier limited overs tournaments in the space of a month, the ODI Asia Cup followed by the prestigious World Twenty20.

Days before the twin events scores have died in election-related violence while anti-Pakistan sentiments are perhaps at an all time high.

The hanging of Jamaat-e-Islami leader Abdul Quader Molla followed by the National Assembly resolution in Pakistan in condemnation of the act has adversely affected the relations between the two countries.

Despite the turmoil the Asian Cricket Council, backed by the powerful Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced last week that the Asia Cup would go ahead as planned in Bangladesh with Afghanistan added as the fifth team in the event( to ensure at least a four nation event in case of a Pakistan pullout).

Similarly, the International Cricket Council has also announced elaborate plans for holding the World T20 as per schedule in Bangladesh.

In the wake of the prevailing scenario the question remains, is it prudent for Pakistan to withdraw?

PCB has struggled to hold its own in ICC in recent years and it is an open secret that a Board that cannot even stage international cricket struggles to push for its demands.

While touring Bangladesh undoubtedly remains a risk for Pakistanis at present the Board despite its reservations has some tough choices to make.

The present Board is functional on a day to day basis only following court orders hence they have to weigh the pros and cons with the utmost care since whatever they decide is set to have an impact in the longer run.

Financial loss for pulling out of even one of the two events is another aspect that is of great importance for the PCB as it struggles to keep afloat with a lack of sustained income without international cricket.

The think tank of international cricket met in an informal meeting in Dubai where a variety of issues including the World T20 were discussed on Thursday.

PCB Chairman Najam Sethi stated on his return from the meeting that the Bangladesh Cricket Board have promised high-level security and have also shared their security plans with Pakistan.

Insiders in the PCB state that despite the reservations and BCB’s past record, the national team is almost ‘certain’ to play in Bangladesh.

It seems there is no other option at the moment; the score with BCB will have to be settled later.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 13^th, 2014.