Pakistan requested Bangladesh to play a full-fledged international series in United Arab Emirates in December, said the officials of Bangladesh Cricket Board on Monday.
Pakistan is originally scheduled to host India for two Tests, five one-day internationals and three Twenty20 internationals during the period, but the fate of the series have been in severe doubt following the recent tensions in the frontiers between the two countries.
A secretary-level peace talks between India and Pakistan were cancelled at the eleventh hour in last week and it followed the deadliest border shooting in recent months killing scores.
As a result the resumption of cricketing ties between India and Pakistan became uncertain. Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Shaharyar Khan in a recent interview told ESPNCricinfo that they can survive without playing against India, a comment which only highlighted the growing tensions between the neighbours.
Without mentioning any specific date, BCB officials said they received the proposal very recently, which left them in a tricky position as the schedule of the series clashes with that of third Bangladesh Premier League Twenty20 tournament.
BCB’s cricket operations chief Naimur Rahman confirmed to have received the proposal but added that it is difficult to accept in the current scenario.
‘We have received the proposal from PCB. But it is unlikely that we can accept it as we have BPL scheduled during that period,’ Naimur told New Age.
BCB chief executive officer Nizamuddin Chowdhury said the proposal came through an informal channel and it is at the very premature stage now.
‘There is nothing really to comment about it as it is in a very premature stage now,’ said Nizamuddin.
The BCB officials meanwhile said they are still considering sending the women’s cricket team to Pakistan, subject to the security clearance.
Bangladesh women’s team had been scheduled to tour Pakistan from August 31 to September 11 for three ODI’s and three Twenty20s, but the series is stalled in the wake of Punjab home minister’s assassination.
A four-member delegate, headed by BCB’s security consultant major (retired) Hossain Imam, is waiting for government’s clearance before traveling to Pakistan to assess the security situation.
If everything goes fine, Bangladesh women cricket team may travel to Pakistan on September 27, said the official.
-With New Age input
