Pakistan News

Bangladesh security team to visit Pakistan in March

The Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore is one of the venues listed to host the series

A security team from Bangladesh will visit Pakistan on a two-day tour from March 2 to assess the security plan for their proposed cricket tour in April this year, ESPNcricinfo has learnt. A short series of limited-overs matches was planned by the PCB to host its first international series since 2009.

The PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf, along with Subhan Ahmed, the PCB's chief operating officer, last Friday had a detailed meeting with all the top bass of the law enforcement and security agencies in the country and they were assured of a 'box security plan', which includes bullet and bomb proof vehicles, for the Bangladesh home series.

"We have to fulfill their requirements of security and we are looking forward to the team coming in March," a top PCB official told ESPNcricinfo.

The security team includes Shawkat Mustafa - joint secretary from Interior Ministry, Ruhul Kuddus - assistant senior secretary of Sports Ministry, Shafiq Anwar - National Sports Council secretary, Mustafa Kamal - BCB president, Nizamuddin Ahmed Chowdhury - BCB acting CEO, two BCB directors - GS Hasan Tamim and Shamsul Huda, and Col. Mesbah Uddin Serniabat - BCB's security consultant. The team will arrive in Islamabad on March 2.

"We can't say anything particular but definitely the Pakistan tour is very important," Jalal Yunus, the BCB's media committee chairman, told ESPNcricinfo, "Everything is dependent on the security report and whatever we agree has to be confirmed only after assessing the security plan.

"We have learnt that some players and officials were quoted in media over their apprehensions in touring Pakistan but that is their individual perspective, which has nothing to do with the BCB's position."

"Obviously, once we agree to tour Pakistan we will definitely look into all their concerns before touring."

There are two itineraries proposed, one of which includes a three-match ODI series, and the other a series of two ODIs and one Twenty20 international, to be completed in one week in April. Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium , Karachi's National Stadium and Faisalabad's Iqbal Stadium are the venues expected to host the matches.